A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Miami vs. Asheville for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Resorts

Should you visit Miami or Asheville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Miami and Asheville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Miami

Miami is a high energy, glamorous, and exciting beach city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and beaches.

Asheville

Asheville is a progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Miami and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Miami or Asheville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Miami than Asheville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Miami is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Asheville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Miami is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. It is also well known for South Beach. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate.

How is Miami different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is the Food Better in Miami or Asheville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Miami is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Miami, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Miami is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Miami is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.

Many people head to Asheville for the nightlife scene. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Music?

Miami is an unbeatable place for its live music scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Miami Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.

The music scene in Asheville draws a good crowd. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Miami is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Miami for its luxury resorts. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Miami is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Miami offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its historic old town. However, Miami does not have a historic old town.

Asheville is a good place to visit the old town. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Miami does not have a historic old town.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Miami is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Miami is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Miami or Asheville?

Miami is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Miami make it a world-class shopping destination. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Miami does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Asheville. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Miami does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its Christmas markets. However, Miami does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Miami does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Miami or Asheville.

Miami is a very family-friendly place to visit. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Asheville is very family-friendly. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Couples?

Both Miami and Asheville are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Miami frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.

Asheville is a great beach city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is well known for backpackers. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Miami. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is well known for students. Also, Miami is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Asheville is very popular with students. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

It's common for students to visit Miami. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.

Is Miami or Asheville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Miami is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Miami, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Miami or Asheville a more walkable city?

Miami is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Miami is a very walkable beach city. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable beach city. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Miami Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Miami?

How long in Miami or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Miami and Asheville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Asheville than in Miami. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Miami, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

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

One day in Miami or Asheville?

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Asheville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Miami or Asheville?

People visit Miami because there is so much to do. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Miami or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy beach city of Miami. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Miami or Asheville?

Miami is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

You'll find live music and food around the eclectic destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Asheville, we can see that Miami is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami than you might in Asheville.

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

Which is Bigger, Miami or Asheville?

Miami has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Miami and Asheville, 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 Miami or Asheville?

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 Miami or Asheville in the Summer?

Both Asheville and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Miami in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Miami is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Miami in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during summer. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. It's quite rainy in Miami. In July, Miami usually receives more rain than Asheville. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Miami or Asheville in the Autumn?

Both Asheville and Miami during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Miami for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Miami is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 78°F (26°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Miami. In the autumn, Miami often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually gets more rain in October than Asheville. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Miami or Asheville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Asheville. The winter months attract visitors to Miami because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

Miami is much warmer than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 67°F (20°C) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during winter. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Miami usually receives less rain than Asheville. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Miami or Asheville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Miami as well as Asheville. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Miami this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Miami is a little warmer than Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Miami in April average around 75°F (24°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the spring, Miami often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Miami usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Miami