Should you visit Detroit or Anchorage?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Anchorage, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Detroit?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Detroit is $112, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Detroit and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Detroit can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $56, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $112.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Anchorage is $186. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Detroit than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $30 on transportation in Detroit on average per day.
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW:
$43
-
Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
-
Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit:
$100
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$106
-
Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City:
$122
-
Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport:
$122
-
Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer:
$149
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$212
-
Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW):
$622
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
-
Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$292
-
Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC):
$622
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port:
$292
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port:
$209
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$54
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC:
$54
-
Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$34
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$771
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$386
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$67
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer:
$34
Is it cheaper to fly into Detroit or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Detroit 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
In Detroit travelers spend around $36 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Anchorage travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Detroit $36
Anchorage $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home:
$94
-
Detroit Revival Food Tours:
$139
Typical Food prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Detroit, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $17 per day, per person.
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Detroit
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour:
$18
-
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover:
$29
-
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$30
-
Detroit Beer History Walking Tour:
$39
-
Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour:
$49
-
90 minute Segway Experience:
$64
Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
-
1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
-
2 Hour eBike Adventure along Tony Knowles, Chester Creek Trails and Cook Inlet:
$120
-
30 Minute Flightseeing Tour from Girdwood:
$326
-
9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour w. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels:
$5,985
-
Alaska 7-Day Brown Bears and Denali Adventure from Anchorage:
$5,899
-
Alaska Crafted Tour and Railroad Adventure:
$339
-
Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing - 60 mins:
$390
-
Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour:
$527
-
Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage:
$59
-
Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup:
$105
-
Alaska Wildlife Tour:
$99
-
Alaska: 7-Day Brown Bear and Denali National Park Adventure:
$5,899
-
Alyeska Tram - A Self-Guided Tour:
$99
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Detroit spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$115
-
Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour:
$219
-
Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage:
$349
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Detroit and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Detroit.
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