Which place is cheaper, Memphis or Columbus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Columbus or Memphis? 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.
Columbus is a down-to-earth, authentic, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.
Memphis is a soulful, creative, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and museums.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Memphis than Columbus, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Memphis is better known for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Columbus is more popular for its shopping. Columbus is well known for its youthful energy and its growing arts scene. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Memphis and Columbus. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Spend time exploring the notable sights and museums in either Columbus or Memphis.
Columbus is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular museums around town include the Center of Science and Technology, the Franklin Park Conservatory, the Columbus Museum of Art, and the Ohio History Center.
Memphis offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.
Memphis is a popular place for its restaurants. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Memphis. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Columbus. Hearty and heavy comfort food is the mainstay in this town. There's pizza, casseroles, sausage, and milkshakes around town.
Memphis is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Columbus is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.
Memphis has a large number of nightlife venues. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.
Columbus has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The live music scene is growing. There are also a growing number of breweries around town.
Memphis is a world-class destination for live music. However, Columbus is not a live music destination.
Memphis is known as a music capital around the world. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.
Columbus is not a live music destination.
Columbus is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.
Columbus has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In addition to the standard shopping malls and retail outlets, there are some interesting shops in the Short North Arts District, German Village, and Easton Town Center.
Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.
Columbus is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Memphis 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 Columbus. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a highlight for many families. Right by it is the Zoombezi Bay Waterpark. For hands-on science-based activities check out the Center of Science and Industry. Kids will also love the Legoland Discovery Center or the Anthony-Thomas Candy Factory. There are also many outdoor parks, greenways, and playgrounds to visit.
Memphis is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.
Memphis is a popular place for romance. However, Columbus is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.
Memphis is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.
Most people don't think of Columbus as a couple's destination. You'll find restaurants and music venues that make for a nice date night. There are also wine tours and other entertainment options.
Memphis is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Columbus is not popular with students.
Plenty of students visit Memphis. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.
Columbus is not popular with students.
Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Columbus and Memphis.
Public transit is mostly limited in Columbus. While there's a bus system, you'll really want to have a vehicle to get around town efficiently.
Public transit is generally limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.
Columbus and Memphis are notable when it comes to walkability.
Columbus is somewhat walkable. The older neighborhoods are the most walkable, but if you want to get around town, you'll need to have a car.
Memphis is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Columbus Worth Visiting? and Is Memphis Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbus and Memphis. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Memphis than in Columbus. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbus, and 2-3 days is enough time in Memphis.
Families should spend more time in Columbus than Memphis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Columbus, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Memphis than Columbus. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Memphis that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Memphis than Columbus 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 Memphis.
In Columbus, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.
The city of Memphis offers live music and food. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
In Columbus, you'll find nightlife 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 Columbus has to offer.
Memphis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Memphis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Columbus 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.
Memphis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbus. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbus. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Memphis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $158, while the average daily cost in Memphis is $167. 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 Columbus and Memphis in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Memphis? 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.
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Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Memphis and Columbus 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:
For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:
When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Memphis, we can see that Memphis is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbus Expensive? and Is Memphis Expensive?.
Columbus has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Memphis. When comparing the sizes of Columbus and Memphis, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Memphis. Many travelers come to Columbus for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Memphis in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Columbus is generally cooler than Memphis. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 83°F (29°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Memphis during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.
Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Memphis. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Memphis. Many visitors come to Columbus in the autumn for the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Columbus is cooler than Memphis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 240 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets more rain in October than Memphis. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Memphis and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Columbus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Memphis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Memphis can be very cold. Columbus can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Columbus is much colder than Memphis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Memphis averages at about 40°F (5°C).
Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Memphis during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Memphis. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Memphis and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.
In April, Columbus is generally cooler than Memphis. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 254 hours of full sun.
Memphis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbus usually gets less rain in April than Memphis. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Columbus | Memphis | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |