A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Phoenix for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cincinnati or Phoenix?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Cincinnati or Phoenix?

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 $187. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Phoenix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $82
    Phoenix $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $164
    Phoenix $226
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Phoenix

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Phoenix? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Cincinnati


Hotels in Phoenix


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Phoenix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $20
    Phoenix $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • 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:

  • Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address: $100
  • Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address: $121
  • Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address: $91
  • Airport Sedan Phoenix One Way Transfer to Phoenix Address: $91
  • Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address: $213
  • Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address: $213
  • Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix Business-Luxury Vehicle: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $76
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $96
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van: $96
  • Departure Private Transfer to Phoenix Airport PHX by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $78
  • 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.





Food
  • 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.

  • Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati: $69
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market: $69
  • 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:


  • Nice Lunch (for 2)
    $36
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix

For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $21
    Phoenix $32

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1919: The year that changed baseball tour: $30
  • Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati: $59
  • Cellarman's Tour: $26
  • Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour: $69
  • Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour: $65
  • 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $36
  • Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour: $74
  • Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone: $24
  • Explore Over-the-Rhine Cruise: $358
  • Ohio River: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $36
  • The Original Findlay Market Tour: $39

Tours and Activities in Phoenix

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.

  • Skip the Line: Heard Museum Admission Ticket: $18
  • Phoenix Walking Ghost Tour: $20
  • Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket: $23
  • RoRo Street Art Tour: $27
  • Lockdown- Samurai Escape Room Experience: $28
  • Phoenix Legends Bike Tour: $43
  • Tabletop Adventure - Gaming in Nature: $46
  • BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale: $53
  • Private Group Sonoran Desert 1.5 Hour Hiking Adventure: $75
  • Scottsdale: Half-Day Casual Bike Tour with Guide: $75
  • Private Group Sonoran Desert Half Day Hiking Adventure: $95

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $9.11
    Phoenix $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • 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:

  • Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!: $100
  • Custom Arizona Brewery Tour: $245
  • Scottsdale: Mountain Biking and Brewery Tour: $250
  • From Phoenix/Scottsdale: Sedona Hiking & Wine Tasting Tour: $275
  • Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards: $997
  • Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards: $1,650

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Cincinnati much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cincinnati would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cincinnati 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Cincinnati.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati or Phoenix?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Cincinnati during the summer are popular places to visit.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Cincinnati is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cincinnati in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Phoenix is about 98°F (36°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. In the summer, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Phoenix 98°F (36°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Phoenix.

In October, Cincinnati is generally much colder than Phoenix. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 58°F (15°C), and Phoenix stays around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Phoenix 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Phoenix.

The weather in Cincinnati can be very cold. Cincinnati is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Phoenix stays around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the winter, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Phoenix 58°F (14°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Cincinnati is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cincinnati in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Phoenix is about 74°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Phoenix 74°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Phoenix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 58°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 74°F (23°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 83°F (28°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 92°F (34°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 98°F (36°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 96°F (35°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 90°F (32°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 79°F (26°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1 inches (25 mm)


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Cincinnati vs. Phoenix Travel Comparison

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