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

Should you visit Memphis or Cleveland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis 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.

Memphis

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.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Memphis and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Cleveland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Memphis than Cleveland. Memphis is bigger than Cleveland, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Memphis is better known for its food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums and shopping. Memphis is well known for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. Also, Memphis is famous for Elvis Presley's Graceland. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Memphis different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cleveland is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Memphis is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

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

Memphis 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 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 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 Memphis or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Cleveland 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.

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 Memphis or Cleveland Better for Music?

Memphis 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.

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.

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 Memphis or Cleveland?

Cleveland is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Memphis is not known for shopping.

Cleveland has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Memphis is a good destination for shopping. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Is Memphis or Cleveland Better for Families?

Memphis and Cleveland are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Memphis offers lots of family activities. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Cleveland is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Memphis or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Memphis is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland 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 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 Memphis or Cleveland Better for Students?

Memphis is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland 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.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Memphis and Cleveland both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

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 Memphis or Cleveland a more walkable city?

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

Memphis is somewhat walkable. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

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 Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Cleveland?

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

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

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

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

One day in Memphis or Cleveland?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Memphis. 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.

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 Memphis or Cleveland?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the creative destination of Memphis. 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 Memphis or Cleveland?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the soulful city of Memphis. 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 Memphis or Cleveland?

Memphis 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Cleveland?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Cleveland. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Cleveland. The summer months attract visitors to Memphis 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 the summer, Memphis is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Memphis in July average around 83°F (29°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Memphis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Memphis usually receives less rain than Cleveland. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Memphis or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Cleveland. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Memphis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In October, Memphis is generally a little warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 64°F (18°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In the autumn, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets less rain in October than Cleveland. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Memphis 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 Memphis. Memphis is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

Memphis usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Memphis usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Memphis or Cleveland in the Spring?

Both Cleveland and Memphis during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Memphis in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Memphis is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Memphis in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Memphis. In the spring, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually gets more rain in April than Cleveland. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Memphis