A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. El Paso for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Phoenix or El Paso?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and El Paso 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

El Paso

El Paso is a undiscovered, laid-back, and low-key city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix and El Paso: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or El Paso?

You'll generally find more things to do in Phoenix than El Paso. Phoenix is bigger than El Paso, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather. Also, Phoenix is famous for Desert Botanical Garden. El Paso is well known for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is Phoenix different from El Paso?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phoenix or El Paso?

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both El Paso and Phoenix.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

El Paso is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Is the Food Better in Phoenix or El Paso? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and El Paso can be an enjoyable experience.

Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

El Paso offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

Is Phoenix or El Paso Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find notable options in both Phoenix and El Paso.

If you're looking for night time activities Phoenix has a few options to choose from. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in El Paso. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Is Phoenix or El Paso Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is very good for its hiking trails. However, El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or El Paso?

If you're looking to go shopping, Phoenix and El Paso both offer plenty of notable spots.

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

El Paso is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Is Phoenix or El Paso Better for Families?

Both Phoenix and El Paso are notable to visit with kids.

Phoenix offers lots of family activities. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

El Paso is a family-friendly place to visit. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is Phoenix or El Paso Better for Couples?

Phoenix is very good for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is Phoenix or El Paso Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phoenix and El Paso both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Is Phoenix or El Paso a more walkable city?

Phoenix and El Paso are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable city. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

El Paso is generally not very walkable. You really need a car to get around town.

For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is El Paso Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in El Paso or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or El Paso?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Phoenix or El Paso to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Phoenix than El Paso because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 1-2 days is enough time in El Paso.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phoenix than El Paso 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 Phoenix.

One day in Phoenix or El Paso?

In Phoenix, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In El Paso, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Phoenix or El Paso?

In Phoenix, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer.

In El Paso, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that El Paso has to offer.

Five days in Phoenix or El Paso?

Phoenix is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

El Paso is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Phoenix or El Paso?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in El Paso. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting El Paso. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Phoenix or El Paso?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of El Paso. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix and El Paso, 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.