Should you visit Cincinnati or Phoenix?
Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Cincinnati
Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
Which city is cheaper, Phoenix or Cincinnati?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $82. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Cincinnati the cost is $164 on average.
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Phoenix If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about $44 per day in Cincinnati for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Phoenix travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Cincinnati $44
Phoenix $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.
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Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati:
$69
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Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market:
$69
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Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream:
$180
Typical Food prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Cincinnati is $20 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Phoenix's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Phoenix.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
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Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer:
$122
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$100
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$121
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Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$91
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Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer to Phoenix Address:
$91
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$213
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$213
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Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix Business-Luxury Vehicle:
$78
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car:
$76
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV:
$96
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Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van:
$96
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Departure Private Transfer to Phoenix Airport PHX by Business or Luxury Vehicle:
$78
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Departure Private Transfers: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car:
$76
Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix and Cincinnati change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Cincinnati's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $21 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Phoenix can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Cincinnati
Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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1919: The year that changed baseball tour:
$30
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Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati:
$59
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Cellarman's Tour:
$26
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Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour:
$69
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Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour:
$65
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Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour:
$74
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Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone:
$24
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Explore Over-the-Rhine Cruise:
$358
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The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$36
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The Original Findlay Market Tour:
$39
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Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery:
$20
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
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Skip the Line: Heard Museum Admission Ticket:
$18
-
Phoenix Walking Ghost Tour:
$20
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Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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RoRo Street Art Tour:
$27
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Lockdown- Samurai Escape Room Experience:
$28
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Phoenix Legends Bike Tour:
$43
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Urban Adventure Quest Scavenger Hunt in Phoenix:
$44
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Tabletop Adventure - Gaming in Nature:
$46
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BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Casual Bike Tour with Guide:
$56
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Road Bike Tour:
$60
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Scottsdale: Half-Day Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour:
$60
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cincinnati may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Phoenix, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati
Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl:
$12
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Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop:
$64
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Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Tour:
$65
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
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Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
-
Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
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Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
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Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Phoenix, we can see that Cincinnati is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati than you might in Phoenix.
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