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

Should you visit Memphis or Phoenix?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Phoenix, 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 laid-back, soulful, and creative city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Memphis and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Memphis than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Memphis, Memphis has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Memphis is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking and shopping. Memphis is famous for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also well known for Elvis Presley's Graceland. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Memphis different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Phoenix and Memphis.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Memphis. 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Memphis and Phoenix both to be nice destinations.

Memphis is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Memphis or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Memphis has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Memphis or Phoenix Better for Music?

Memphis is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Memphis has become a mecca for musicians from 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.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix has hiking trails worth exploring. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Phoenix?

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

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

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 Phoenix Better for Families?

Memphis and Phoenix are both nice 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Memphis or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Memphis and Phoenix are both nice to visit as a couple.

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Memphis or Phoenix Better for Students?

Memphis is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Memphis. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Memphis and Phoenix both offer reasonable 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Memphis or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Memphis is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Phoenix?

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

Families should spend more time in Memphis than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Memphis, you'll find nightlife and live music. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Phoenix, you'll find nightlife and food. 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 Phoenix?

In Memphis, you'll find live music and food. 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 Memphis has to offer.

In Phoenix, you'll find food 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 Phoenix has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Phoenix?

Memphis 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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Memphis. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Memphis. 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 Phoenix. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. 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 Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Memphis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Memphis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Memphis 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Memphis.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Memphis Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Memphis. When comparing the sizes of Memphis and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

Both Phoenix and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Memphis this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Memphis is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 83°F (29°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Memphis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Memphis or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Memphis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Memphis is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Memphis in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Memphis. In the autumn, Memphis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Phoenix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Memphis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Memphis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Memphis is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 40°F (5°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Memphis usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Memphis usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Memphis or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Memphis for the activities around the city during these months.

Memphis is cooler than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In the spring, Memphis often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Memphis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Memphis usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Memphis