Should you visit Miami or Dallas?
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 Dallas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
Dallas
Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.
Which city is cheaper, Dallas or Miami?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $165, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $103. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Miami and Dallas in more detail.
Accommodation
Miami's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $212. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $106.
Dallas's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $116. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $58.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Miami cost around $33 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $13.
The price of a meal in Dallas can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $28 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Miami $33
Dallas $28
Typical Food prices in Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
-
Little Havana 2-Hour Food Tour:
$59
-
South Beach Miami Culinary Walking Tour Lunch or Dinner:
$59
-
Little Havana Street Food Tours:
$61
-
Taste of Little Havana Food Tour by Bicycle:
$69
-
Haitian Cooking Experience:
$85
-
Private Little Havana Cuban Food Tour:
$99
-
4th of July Fireworks Cruise & Hard Rock Dinner:
$159
-
4th of July Fireworks from Catamaran & Hard Rock Café Dinner:
$159
-
Private VIP Historical Citywide Food Tour:
$159
Typical Food prices in Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.
-
Live from Eggs Benedict Brunch Cooking Class with Bri from MasteChef:
$33
-
Live from Eggs Benedict Cooking Class with Bri from MasterChef:
$33
-
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Dallas:
$73
-
Secret Food Tour of Dallas w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
-
Dallas Secret Food Tour:
$224
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Miami is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $32 per person, per day, on local transportation in Miami.
The average price of local transportation around Dallas is $23 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
-
Dolphin Mall Miami Shuttle Transfer: Downtown Loop:
$20
-
Transfer: Miami Beach to Airport, Port or Palm Beach:
$25
-
Transfer from Miami Airport:
$25
-
Transfers to Port of Miami:
$28
-
Luxury Airport Transfer from Miami International Airport:
$33
-
Private Departure Transfer: Miami City or Miami Beach to Miami Airport:
$37
-
Private Arrival Transfer: MIA Miami Airport to Miami City or Miami Beach:
$37
-
Miami Airport Transfer To Miami Area:
$40
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Miami to Miami International Airport (MIA):
$41
-
Private Airport Transfer: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Miami:
$41
-
Miami Private Airport Transfer:
$44
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Downtown to Miami Airport:
$46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
-
AT&T Stadium Transfer:
$107
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Addison by Luxury Vehicle:
$54
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle:
$49
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle:
$89
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Plano by Luxury Vehicle:
$63
-
DAL - Dallas Love Airport - Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel:
$123
-
DFW - Dallas Fort Worth Airport - Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel:
$123
-
DFW - Dallas Fort Worth Airport - Round Trip Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel:
$245
-
Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Business Car:
$100
-
Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV:
$128
-
Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury Van:
$122
-
Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer:
$85
Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Dallas?
Prices for flights to both Dallas and Miami 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Miami typically cost an average of $25 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Dallas's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $10 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1/2 Hour Jet Ski Island Adventure:
$5.00
-
Miami Dance Cruise:
$11
-
Miami City Tour: South Beach, Downtown, and More:
$20
-
Miami Half-Day City Tour and Bay Cruise:
$20
-
La Perle de Little Haiti Tour:
$20
-
Little Havana: Beyond Cuba Tour:
$20
-
La Perle De Little Haiti Tour:
$20
-
1-Hour Wynwood Walls and Street Art Tour:
$22
-
Pirates Adventures Sightseeing Tour from Miami:
$23
-
Miami Skyline View Cruise:
$23
-
Skip the Line: Zoo Miami Ticket with Optional Upgrade:
$25
-
Everglades National Park Airboat Tour:
$25
Tours and Activities in Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
-
walkSTEM Tour:
$18
-
Skip the Line: Marionette Theater Tickets in Dallas:
$19
-
Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket:
$21
-
Dallas Cruizer Tour:
$25
-
John F Kennedy Assassination Tour with Sixth Floor Museum:
$26
-
Skip the Line: Princess Party Breakfast Show Ticket:
$26
-
Dallas City Highlights Tour:
$29
-
75-Minute Small-Group City Highlights Tour:
$30
-
Dallas Food and Culture Tour:
$36
-
Urban Adventure Quest: Scavenger Hunt in Dallas, Texas:
$44
-
JFK Assassination Tour + Oswald's Rooming House:
$50
-
The Great Dallas Tour:
$50
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Miami may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $18 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $9.82 on alcoholic beverages in Dallas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typical Alcohol prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
-
Pub Crawl South Beach 3-Hour Tour:
$30
-
Miami Beach Rockstar Bar Crawl:
$69
-
Making Your Own Gin Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience:
$190
Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Dallas Bar Hunt: Dallas Dynasty Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas:
$55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Dallas, we can see that Miami is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.
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