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

Should you visit Cleveland or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Phoenix, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Cleveland and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cleveland or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cleveland than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Cleveland, Cleveland has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cleveland is better known for its museums and music, while Phoenix is more popular for its food and hiking. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people. Also, Cleveland is famous for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Cleveland different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland is a great 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 Cleveland. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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 Cleveland or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Phoenix. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Cleveland or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The notable nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cleveland and Phoenix.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 Cleveland or Phoenix Better for Music?

Cleveland is a great city for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has a thriving music scene. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Cleveland or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Phoenix?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Cleveland and Phoenix.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Phoenix offers some nice shopping areas. 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 Cleveland or Phoenix Better for Families?

Cleveland and Phoenix are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Cleveland is a family-friendly city. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. 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 Cleveland or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Cleveland and Phoenix.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

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

Is Cleveland or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Cleveland and Phoenix are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Cleveland is generally not a very walkable city. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

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 Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cleveland and Phoenix. In our opinion, Phoenix has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Phoenix than Cleveland. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phoenix than Cleveland 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 Phoenix.

One day in Cleveland or Phoenix?

In Cleveland, you'll find nightlife and live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or Phoenix?

In Cleveland, you'll find live music and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cleveland has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the desert destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Cleveland or Phoenix?

Cleveland is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the desert city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Cleveland or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cleveland. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cleveland and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland 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 Cleveland or Phoenix?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cleveland or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cleveland and Phoenix. The music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Cleveland is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 75°F (24°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cleveland usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Cleveland gets 307 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 4 inches (101 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cleveland or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cleveland as well as Phoenix. Many travelers come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Cleveland is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cleveland averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Cleveland often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Cleveland usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cleveland or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Cleveland are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cleveland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cleveland can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cleveland is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cleveland in January average around 28°F (-2°C), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Cleveland usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Cleveland gets 95 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cleveland usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cleveland or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Cleveland during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Cleveland is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Cleveland average around 51°F (10°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cleveland. In the spring, Cleveland often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Cleveland usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Cleveland gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Cleveland