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

Should you visit Detroit or Cleveland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Cleveland, 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.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a diverse, authentic, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the live music, shopping, and museums.

Detroit and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Cleveland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Detroit than Cleveland. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Detroit is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Cleveland attracts visitors for its museums. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. It is also well known for the Henry Ford Experience. Cleveland is famous for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Detroit different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Detroit or Cleveland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Detroit 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 Detroit. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

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 Detroit or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Detroit has a large number of nightlife venues. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Cleveland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Detroit or Cleveland Better for Music?

Detroit is an amazing city to visit for live music. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its live music scene.

Detroit is known as a music capital around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Cleveland. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Cleveland?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Detroit and Cleveland.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Cleveland to go shopping. 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.

Is Detroit or Cleveland Better for Families?

Detroit and Cleveland are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Detroit is a family-friendly city. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. 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.

Is Detroit or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Neither Detroit or Cleveland is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

Most people don't think of Detroit as a couple's destination. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Cleveland is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Detroit and Cleveland.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

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 Detroit or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Detroit is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

Detroit is somewhat walkable. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. 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.

For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Cleveland?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Detroit 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 Detroit.

One day in Detroit or Cleveland?

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

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.

A weekend in Detroit or Cleveland?

You'll find live music and food around the overlooked destination of Detroit. 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.

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.

Five days in Detroit or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the under-rated city of Detroit. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Detroit or Cleveland?

Detroit 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.

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.

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 comparing the travel costs between Detroit and Cleveland, we can see that Detroit 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 Detroit Expensive? and Is Cleveland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Cleveland?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Detroit and Cleveland, 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 Detroit or Cleveland?

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 Detroit or Cleveland in the Summer?

Both Cleveland and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.

In July, Detroit is generally around the same temperature as Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 74°F (24°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Cleveland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. Detroit usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. In July, Detroit usually receives less rain than Cleveland. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Detroit or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Detroit during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Detroit this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene.

Detroit is around the same temperature as Cleveland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Detroit often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Cleveland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Cleveland. Many travelers come to Detroit for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cleveland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cleveland can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. In the winter, Detroit is much colder than Cleveland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Detroit in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Cleveland averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Detroit usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Detroit or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Cleveland. Many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Detroit is generally cooler than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 49°F (9°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the spring, Detroit often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in April than Cleveland. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Detroit