Should you visit Miami or Seattle?
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 Seattle 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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
Which city is cheaper, Seattle or Miami?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $156. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Seattle is about $188 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Seattle can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $38 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 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
-
Seattle $38
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 Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
-
Expresso & cookie at Pier 70
$7.00
-
Cashews at Pike Place Market
$6.00
-
6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market
$3.25
-
Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)
$21
-
Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)
$32
-
Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)
$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
-
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 1 Hour:
$34
-
Pike Place Market: Walking Food Tour:
$48
-
Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour:
$56
-
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours:
$58
-
Pacific Northwest-Style Dinner and Pairing in Seattle:
$61
-
Exclusive: Early-Access Food Tour of Pike Place Market:
$73
-
Street Theater and Dinner in Seattle's Fremont District:
$86
-
Seattle Dinner Cruise:
$115
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $18 per day to get around in Seattle.
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
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
-
Arrival Private Transfer Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle or Cruise Port - Minibus:
$195
-
Arrival Private Transfer from Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle by Business Car:
$108
-
Chauffeured Airport Transfer to/from or Sea-Tac International Airport - One Way:
$91
-
Cruise Port to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$71
-
Departure Private Transfer Seattle or Cruise Port to Seattle Airport SEA Minibus:
$195
-
Departure Private Transfer from Seattle to Seattle Airport SEA by Business Car:
$108
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Kent City - One Way:
$62
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Seattle City - One Way:
$149
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Tacoma City - One Way:
$139
-
One-Way Seattle Private Transfer up to 12 Pax: Cruises, Sea-Tac, Hotels:
$319
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA):
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer from Seattle City to SEA Seattle Airport:
$46
Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Seattle. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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 Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
-
Private Auto-guided Tour of Seattle:
$4.96
-
Historic Ballard audio tour: A slice of Seattle's quirky history:
$5.00
-
Skip the Line: Sky View Observatory Admission Tickets:
$10
-
Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket:
$12
-
Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
-
Sky View Observatory General Admission Ticket:
$20
-
Seattle Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Haunted Walking Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Seattle Walking Ghost Tour:
$23
-
The Museum of Flight Admission Ticket:
$25
-
City Harbor Cruise:
$26
Alcohol
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in Seattle 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 Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
-
Seattle Bar Hunt: Sleepless in Seattle Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Georgetown Brewery Tour:
$72
-
Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour:
$98
-
Half-Day Coffee, Chocolate, and Wine Tour:
$99
-
Seattle Coffee, Chocolate and Wine Tour:
$112
-
Seattle Wine Tour (Hourly):
$135
-
7-Hour Wenatchee White Water Rafting and Wine Tour:
$145
-
From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting:
$209
-
Seattle All-Inclusive: Hike Mt. Rainier and Wine Tasting:
$263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Miami.
Related Articles for Miami
Related Articles for Seattle
