A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Clearwater vs. Phoenix for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Clearwater or Phoenix?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Clearwater and Phoenix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a adventure-filled, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Clearwater and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Clearwater than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Clearwater, Clearwater has more sights and attractions for tourists. Clearwater is better known for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Phoenix is more popular for its hiking. Clearwater is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. Also, Clearwater is famous for Clearwater Beach. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Clearwater different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Clearwater. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Phoenix?

Clearwater is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Clearwater. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Clearwater or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Clearwater is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Clearwater has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Clearwater and Phoenix.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Clearwater is a great coastal city for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

In Clearwater, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Clearwater is a coastal city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Clearwater. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Clearwater is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Clearwater is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Clearwater is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Phoenix?

Both Clearwater and Phoenix are notable shopping destinations.

Clearwater is a great destination for shopping. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Phoenix. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Families?

Clearwater is a great coastal city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Clearwater. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Clearwater is a great coastal city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Clearwater is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Clearwater and Phoenix offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Clearwater or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Clearwater is a coastal city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable coastal city. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Clearwater and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Clearwater than in Phoenix. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Clearwater, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Clearwater than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Clearwater, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Clearwater than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Clearwater that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Clearwater than Phoenix if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Clearwater.

One day in Clearwater or Phoenix?

In Clearwater, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With museums and nightlife around the desert city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Phoenix, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Clearwater or Phoenix?

In Clearwater, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Clearwater or Phoenix?

Clearwater is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Clearwater has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Clearwater or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Clearwater. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Clearwater. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Phoenix, we can see that Clearwater 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Phoenix.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Clearwater Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Phoenix, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Clearwater 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 Clearwater or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Clearwater for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Clearwater is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 82°F (28°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the summer, Clearwater often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Clearwater receives a lot of rain in the summer. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Clearwater is around the same temperature as Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Clearwater is June to November.

Should I visit Clearwater or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Clearwater during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Clearwater in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the winter, Clearwater often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Phoenix. Many travelers come to Clearwater for the beaches.

In April, Clearwater is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 71°F (22°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Clearwater