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

Should you visit Memphis or Salt Lake City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Salt Lake City, 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 live music, food, and museums.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Memphis and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Memphis than Salt Lake City. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Memphis is very popular for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Salt Lake City attracts visitors for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and shopping. Salt Lake City is more touristy than Memphis and is known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. Memphis is famous for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also well known for Elvis Presley's Graceland.

How is Memphis different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

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 Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Memphis and Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Music?

Memphis is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Memphis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Memphis is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

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

Salt Lake City has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Memphis and Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is a family-friendly place to visit. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Memphis and Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City Better for Students?

Memphis is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Salt Lake City 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.

Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

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

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Memphis is not known for its public transit.

While Salt Lake City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

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

Is Memphis or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Memphis is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options 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.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Memphis and Salt Lake City. In our opinion, Salt Lake City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Salt Lake City than Memphis. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Memphis 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 Salt Lake City.

One day in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

In Memphis, you'll find museums and nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Salt Lake City, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

Memphis is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Salt Lake City, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling 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 Salt Lake City has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Memphis. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the city of Memphis. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Salt Lake City. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Salt Lake City?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Memphis and Salt Lake City, 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.