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

Should you visit Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cleveland or Salt Lake City, 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 live music, shopping, and museums.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. Other reasons to visit include museums, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Cleveland and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salt Lake City than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salt Lake City is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking, while Cleveland is more popular for its nightlife and music. Salt Lake City is more touristy than Cleveland and is known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. Also, Salt Lake City is famous for Temple Square. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Cleveland different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Cleveland or Salt Lake City.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Cleveland can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.


Is the Food Better in Cleveland or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

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 Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Cleveland is very good for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City Better for Music?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Cleveland is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Cleveland while you're in town. 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.

Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.


Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Cleveland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Cleveland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

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

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Cleveland and Salt Lake City.

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.

Salt Lake City offers some nice shopping areas. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.


Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Cleveland and Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

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

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

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 Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Salt Lake City has some public transit options. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

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


Is Cleveland or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Cleveland
Salt Lake City

Cleveland and Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Cleveland Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Cleveland?

How long in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cleveland and Salt Lake City. In our opinion, Salt Lake City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Salt Lake City than Cleveland. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cleveland, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City.


  • How many days in Cleveland or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cleveland 1-3 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

In Cleveland, you'll find museums and nightlife. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Salt Lake City. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Cleveland is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find museums and food around the notable destination of Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cleveland. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the religious city of Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Cleveland. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Salt Lake City 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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or Cleveland?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cleveland is $132, while the average daily cost in Salt Lake City is $246. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cleveland and Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cleveland $75
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cleveland $150
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Cleveland and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in Cleveland or Salt Lake City? 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 Cleveland


Hotels in Salt Lake City


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: Cleveland Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cleveland $19
    Salt Lake City $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cleveland are as follows:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cleveland

Also for Cleveland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Cleveland Airport (CLE): $64
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Cleveland Airprot (CLE): $64
  • Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) - Departure Private Transfer : $89
  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $178
  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Arrival Private Transfer : $89
  • CLE Airport Transfer to Downtown Cleveland: $135

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC): Transfer to Salt Lake City: $200
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City UT - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $180
  • Salt Lake Airport (SLC) to Canyons Village - Round-Trip Transfer: $228
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) : $106
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $106
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City and Cleveland 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
    Cleveland $36
    Salt Lake City $50
Typical Food Prices in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $1.79
  • Sandwich
    $9.75
  • Large Pizza
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cleveland

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

  • West Side Market Food Tour: $49
  • Little Italy Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $74
  • Tremont Neighborhood Food Tour: $75
  • Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cleveland $40
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • CLE Mini Bus Group Tour: $55
  • Cleveland Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Cleveland From the Inside Walking Tour: $24
  • Cleveland Ghosts Tour: $32
  • Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game Ticket at Progressive Field: $27
  • Cleveland Romance: A Walking Tour for Couples: $469
  • Cleveland Romance: A Walking Tour for Couples: $239
  • Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Game Ticket: $45
  • Cleveland History Center General Admission Ticket: $15
  • Eerie Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $24
  • Escape Room Game Entry Ticket with Host: $39
  • Downtown Cleveland Public Art Walking Tour : $24

Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City

For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Salt Lake Boat Tour with Swimming on the Lake: $79
  • 4-Day Winter Yellowstone Tour: $2,499
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $37
  • 5-day Tour Yellowstone Park Los Angeles-Salt Lake City: $1,558
  • From 3-Day Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure: $999
  • From Private Bryce Canyon National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Canyonlands National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Capitol Reef National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Tour of Arches National Park: $1,475
  • Great Salt Lake Flying Tour: $249
  • Great Salt Lake Guided Bus Tour from Salt Lake City: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cleveland $45
    Salt Lake City $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Cleveland are as follows:


  • A Night of Shots
    $36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cleveland and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cleveland or Salt Lake City?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Cleveland and Salt Lake City, 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.