Should you visit Miami or Las Vegas?
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 Las Vegas 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.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas has long been the gambling capital of the United States. Known as "Sin City," it is a hot spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, but in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in weddings and business conferences. It is the largest city in the state of Nevada and one of the most visited and well known cities in the country. It is located in the Mojave Desert in South Nevada and has a very arid climate with very hot and dry summers. The average high in July is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, but as many people like to say "its a dry heat." Winters are cooler and pleasant with highs around 60 degrees Fahrenheits. Snow is very rare but the surrounding mountains are often topped with snow during the winter months.
Which city is cheaper, Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas is $246. 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 Las Vegas 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.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $254 for a double occupancy room in Las Vegas.
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 cost of a taxi ride in Las Vegas is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Las Vegas.
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:
-
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: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Miami:
$41
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Miami to Miami International Airport (MIA):
$41
-
Miami Private Airport Transfer:
$44
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Downtown to Miami Airport:
$46
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport to Miami Downtown:
$46
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport to Miami Beach:
$46
-
Private Miami International Airport (MIA) Transfer:
$48
Typical Local Transportation prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Las Vegas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Las Vegas:
-
Airport Transfer - Round Trip to or from Your Hotel:
$165
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas City by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Luxury SUV:
$59
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Las Vegas Airport to Las Vegas city in Tesla X:
$54
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Business Car:
$103
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Car:
$163
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury SUV:
$149
-
Arrival Private Transfers: Las Vegas Airport LAS to Las Vegas in Luxury Van:
$141
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas City to Las Vegas Airport by Business Sedan:
$48
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Executive SUV:
$1,818
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Minibus:
$1,928
-
Departure Private Transfer Las Vegas to Los Angeles Airport LAX by SUV:
$1,653
Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Las Vegas?
Prices for flights to both Las Vegas 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.
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.
While meal prices in Las Vegas can vary, the average travelers spends about $64 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Las Vegas should cost around $26 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Las Vegas is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Miami $33
Las Vegas $64
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 Street Food Tours:
$61
-
Haitian Cooking Experience:
$85
-
Private Little Havana Cuban Food Tour:
$99
-
Private VIP Historical Citywide Food Tour:
$159
Typical Food prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Las Vegas are as follows:
-
Coffee
$5.00
-
Deep Fried Twinkie
$1.07
-
Chocolate Dip Banana
$1.07
-
Gelato
$5.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Las Vegas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Las Vegas.
-
Only On The Strip Food Tour:
$79
-
The "What The Frog?" Senor Frogs Dinner Package:
$80
-
Chinatown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Downtown Vegan Food Tour:
$87
-
Walking Food Tour of Downtown Las Vegas:
$99
-
Evening Walking Food Tour on the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Walking Food Tour of the Las Vegas Strip:
$103
-
Fremont Street Dinner Tour with Photographer:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$136
-
Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour by Segway:
$149
-
Wild West Sunset Horseback Ride with Dinner from Las Vegas:
$150
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Las Vegas:
$156
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.
Entertainment and activities in Las Vegas typically cost an average of $63 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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
-
Haunted Themed Smartphone Audio Driving Tour:
$7.84
-
Miami Dance Cruise:
$11
-
Little Havana: Beyond Cuba Tour:
$20
-
La Perle de Little Haiti Tour:
$20
-
La Perle De Little Haiti Tour:
$20
-
Pirates Adventures Sightseeing Tour from Miami:
$23
-
Miami Skyline View Cruise:
$23
-
Skip the Line: Zoo Miami Ticket with Optional Upgrade:
$25
-
Biscayne Bay Boat Tour in Miami:
$25
-
Best of Little Havana Miami Tour:
$25
-
Sightseeing Cruise of Biscayne Bay:
$27
Typical Entertainment prices in Las Vegas
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Las Vegas are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Las Vegas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Las Vegas are as follows:
-
SeaQuest Las Vegas - Single Day Passport Ticket:
$13
-
Las Vegas Natural History Museum Admission Ticket:
$14
-
Skip the Line: Springs Preserve in Las Vegas Admission Ticket:
$15
-
Haunts and The Mob Las Vegas Walking Tour:
$18
-
Axe Throwing Experience in Las Vegas:
$20
-
Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Skip the Line: Nostalgia Street Rods Museum Ticket and Optional VIP Tour:
$21
-
The High Roller at The LINQ Ticket:
$21
-
Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck Ticket:
$24
-
Boulder City Historic District Self-Guided Tour from Las Vegas:
$25
-
From Boulder City Self-Guided Tour:
$25
-
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Admission Ticket:
$27
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 $44 on alcoholic beverages in Las Vegas 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:
-
Making Your Own Gin Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience:
$190
Sample the Local Flavors in Las Vegas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Las Vegas:
-
Zombie Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino:
$49
-
Fantasy Burlesque Show at Luxor Hotel & Casino:
$61
-
The Weird, Wacky and Wonderful Bar Crawl of Fremont Street:
$89
-
Las Vegas Bar Crawl:
$90
-
Las Vegas Brewery Tour by Party Bus:
$103
-
Bar Crawl On Fremont Street:
$260
-
Small Group Pahrump Wine Tasting with Death Valley Sightseeing and Stargazing:
$295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Las Vegas, we can see that Las Vegas is more expensive. And not only is Miami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Miami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Miami 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 Las Vegas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Las Vegas than you might in Miami.
Related Articles for Miami
Related Articles for Las Vegas
