Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or New Orleans?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between New Orleans and Philadelphia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife.
Philadelphia is a diverse, historic, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Philadelphia than New Orleans. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while New Orleans attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and quaint atmosphere. New Orleans is more touristy than Philadelphia and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. Philadelphia is famous for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. It is also well known for The Liberty Bell.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Philadelphia and New Orleans. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Philadelphia is a world-class destination for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.
Travelers visit Philadelphia from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.
New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for theatre. However, New Orleans is not a theatre destination.
Philadelphia attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.
New Orleans is not a theatre destination.
New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.
Dining out in Philadelphia is an experience not to be missed. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.
New Orleans is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
New Orleans is a world class party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.
The people in Philadelphia know how to have a good time. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.
New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its music scene.
With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New Orleans. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.
Philadelphia has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.
New Orleans is an excellent place to visit for its old town. Also, Philadelphia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.
Many visitors go to New Orleans to see the historical old town. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.
Philadelphia offers a nice historic old town area. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Philadelphia. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.
If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, New Orleans does not offer Christmas activities.
Since it has plenty to do, Philadelphia is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.
New Orleans does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, New Orleans does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.
New Orleans does not offer Christmas markets.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.
Philadelphia is a very family-friendly destination. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.
New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.
Both New Orleans and Philadelphia are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.
New Orleans is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.
Philadelphia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.
Philadelphia is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.
Philadelphia is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.
New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Students come from all over to stay in Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.
New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.
Philadelphia is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.
Public transit in Philadelphia is fairly effecient and thorough. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.
Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.
Philadelphia is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Philadelphia. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.
New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.
For even more information, also check out Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? and Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New Orleans and Philadelphia. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Philadelphia than New Orleans. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than New Orleans. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Philadelphia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Philadelphia than New Orleans. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Philadelphia that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Philadelphia than New Orleans 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 Philadelphia.
In New Orleans, many people enjoy the live music and food that this vibrant city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Philadelphia is a historic city where you can fill many days. Most people visit for the museums. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
New Orleans is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Philadelphia is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the festive destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
The historic city of Philadelphia offers food and shopping. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
New Orleans is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Philadelphia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in New Orleans is $239, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for New Orleans and Philadelphia in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in New Orleans or Philadelphia? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and New Orleans 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.
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Orleans and Philadelphia, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Philadelphia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Philadelphia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Philadelphia 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Philadelphia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Orleans Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of New Orleans and Philadelphia, 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.
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.
Both Philadelphia and New Orleans are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, New Orleans is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in New Orleans in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during summer. New Orleans gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. It's quite rainy in New Orleans. In July, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Philadelphia and New Orleans during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In October, New Orleans is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in New Orleans average around 69°F (21°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in New Orleans. In the autumn, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.
New Orleans usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both New Orleans and Philadelphia. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Philadelphia. New Orleans is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in New Orleans averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
New Orleans usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during winter. New Orleans gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, New Orleans usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to New Orleans as well as Philadelphia. Many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, New Orleans is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in New Orleans in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In the spring, New Orleans often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.
New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. New Orleans usually gets more rain in April than Philadelphia. New Orleans gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
New Orleans | Philadelphia | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
May | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Oct | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |