Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and San Diego 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 is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.
San Diego is a fun-filled, hip, and dynamic coastal city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.
Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego. Although Phoenix and San Diego are both popular with visitors, San Diego has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. San Diego is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also home to The San Diego Zoo. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Diego and Phoenix. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
San Diego is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into San Diego. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.
Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.
Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and San Diego 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.
San Diego offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.
San Diego is a great coastal city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.
The nightlife in San Diego has something for everybody. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. 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.
San Diego is a great coastal city for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.
San Diego has a thriving music scene. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.
Phoenix is not a live music destination.
San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.
San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.
Phoenix is not a resort destination.
San Diego is a coastal city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.
Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
San Diego is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.
San Diego is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.
Phoenix is not a beach destination.
San Diego is a great coastal city for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.
Many visitors go to San Diego for the hiking trails. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.
Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. 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.
If you're looking to go shopping, Phoenix and San Diego both offer plenty of good 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.
San Diego is a great destination for shopping. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.
San Diego is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
San Diego is an extremely popular coastal city to visit for families. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.
Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.
San Diego is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
San Diego is a great coastal city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.
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.
San Diego is a coastal city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.
San Diego is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.
Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.
San Diego is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.
San Diego is a very popular coastal city for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.
Phoenix is not popular with students.
Phoenix and San Diego both offer decent 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 San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.
San Diego is a coastal city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.
San Diego is a somewhat walkable coastal city. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.
Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.
For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is San Diego Worth Visiting?.
In either Phoenix or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in San Diego than Phoenix because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 3-5 days is enough time in San Diego.
Families should spend more time in San Diego than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Diego than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Diego that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Diego than Phoenix 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 San Diego.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Phoenix. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Phoenix has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In San Diego, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Phoenix. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In San Diego, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back city of Phoenix. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
San Diego is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Diego has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Diego. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting San Diego. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $238, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $202. 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 Phoenix and San Diego in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phoenix or San Diego? 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.
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Diego and Phoenix 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and San Diego, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is San Diego much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Diego would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Diego 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 San Diego.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phoenix Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.
Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of San Diego. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix and San Diego, 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 San Diego and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Phoenix is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 98°F (36°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than San Diego during summer. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Phoenix usually receives more rain than San Diego. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both San Diego and Phoenix during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Phoenix is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 79°F (26°C) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the autumn, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.
Phoenix usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and San Diego. Many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Phoenix is around the same temperature as San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phoenix in January average around 58°F (14°C), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during winter. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than San Diego. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as San Diego. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Phoenix is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 74°F (23°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the spring, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.
Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than San Diego. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Phoenix | San Diego | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
Mar | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
May | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Jul | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Aug | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Sep | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
Oct | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Dec | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |