Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Detroit?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Seattle, 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 is a overlooked , under-rated, and hardworking city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.
Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Seattle than Detroit. While Detroit is larger than Seattle, Seattle has more sights and attractions for tourists. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Detroit is known for its music. Seattle is more touristy than Detroit and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Detroit is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle and Detroit. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Seattle 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 Seattle can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.
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.
Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Detroit is not a theatre destination.
You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.
Detroit is not a theatre destination.
Seattle is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Seattle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.
There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. 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.
The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Detroit and Seattle.
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.
Seattle is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.
Detroit is renowned for its music scene. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for live music.
In Detroit you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.
Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.
Seattle is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Detroit is not a beach destination.
Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.
Detroit is not a beach destination.
Seattle is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Detroit is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Detroit is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Detroit and Seattle.
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 Seattle to go shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.
Detroit and Seattle are both good 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 Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.
Seattle is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.
Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.
Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. 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.
Seattle is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.
It's common for backpackers to visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.
Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.
Seattle is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.
Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.
Detroit is not popular with students.
Seattle is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.
Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.
Seattle is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.
Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.
For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Seattle Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Detroit and Seattle. In our opinion, Seattle has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Seattle than Detroit. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Detroit, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.
Families should spend more time in Seattle than Detroit. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Seattle, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Seattle than Detroit. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seattle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle than Detroit 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 Seattle.
In Detroit, you'll find shopping and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the 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.
Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Detroit, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Detroit has to offer.
Because Seattle is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Seattle has to offer.
Detroit 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.
Seattle is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Detroit. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Seattle. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Detroit is $133, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Detroit and Seattle in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Detroit or Seattle? 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.
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.
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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.
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Detroit and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Detroit.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Detroit Expensive? and Is Seattle Expensive?.
Detroit has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Detroit and Seattle, 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 places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In the summer, Detroit is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Detroit in July average around 74°F (24°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the summer, Detroit often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.
Detroit usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Seattle and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Detroit is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 54°F (12°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Detroit usually receives less rain than Seattle. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Seattle and Detroit during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Detroit for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. Detroit is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 25°F (-4°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).
In the winter, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.
Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Detroit usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Seattle. Many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Detroit is cooler than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Detroit in April average around 49°F (9°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. Detroit usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle during spring. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Detroit usually receives more rain than Seattle. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Detroit | Seattle | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
Feb | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
Mar | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Apr | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
May | 60°F (16°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
Jul | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Aug | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
Sep | 65°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 43°F (6°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
Dec | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |