A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pittsburgh vs. Berkeley for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Backpackers

Should you visit Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pittsburgh or Berkeley, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a under-rated, industrial, and authentic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Berkeley

Berkeley is a diverse, quirky, and progressive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Pittsburgh and Berkeley: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Pittsburgh than Berkeley. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Pittsburgh is very popular for its big city activities, while Berkeley attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and impressive beauty. Berkeley is more touristy than Pittsburgh and is popular for its progressive and liberal mindset as well as its farmer's markets and local boutiques. Pittsburgh is famous for its many bridges, its steel industry, and being the home of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood". It is also well known for Mount Washington.

How is Pittsburgh different from Berkeley?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Berkeley and Pittsburgh.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pittsburgh can be an interesting and educational experience. The museums range from science and nature focused, like the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden, to quirky and artsy, like the Mattress Factory. The Warhol Museum is dedicated to the works of Andy Warhol and it's not to be missed. Also worth a visit is the Heinz History Center, Randyland, and the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Berkeley. There are a wide range of museums around town, many of which are affiliated with the university. There are natural history museums, art museums, cultural museums, as well as historical and science museums.

Is the Food Better in Pittsburgh or Berkeley? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Berkeley is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Berkeley has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge diversity of restaurants that range from international to California flavors. There are also eateries that cater to the student population, as well as fine dining and everything in between. You'll also find many farmer's markets, vegan options, and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients.

Pittsburgh offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its working class roots, and the food is hearty and filling, which is great for those on a budget. Popular local dishes include pierogis, deli sandwiches, Pittsburgh salads (complete with French fries), and hotcakes.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is superb in both Pittsburgh and Berkeley.

Many people head to Pittsburgh for the nightlife scene. There's an active music and dance scene in town. For the best bars and clubs, head to the Strip and South Side and for live entertainment and casinos check out the North Shore.

Berkeley has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With its large student population, you'll find no shortage of nightlife activities around town. There are bars and pubs as well as live music venues and plenty of unique experiences.

Is the Shopping Better in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Berkeley is great for its shopping areas. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Berkeley. Quirky and local is what shopping in Berkeley is all about. There are also plenty of thrift stores and farmer's markets. Head to Fourth Street or Telegraph Avenue for some of the most interesting shopping opportunities.

Pittsburgh is a great destination for shopping. You'll find local fashion boutiques and shopping centers in the city's downtown. Other great shopping neighborhoods include Shadyside, Station Square, and Fifth Avenue Place.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Families?

Pittsburgh and Berkeley are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Pittsburgh offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities packed into this city. Check out the National Aviary or visit the popular Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. There are also kid-focused museums and science centers as well as parks and playgrounds. Also make sure you take the cable car up Duquesne Incline or enjoy a boat ride on one of the rivers as well.

Berkeley is a family-friendly place to visit. There are many outdoor places to explore with kids like Tilden Park or UC Botanical Garden. There are also science museums, nature centers, and plenty of kid-friendly restaurants.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Couples?

Berkeley is a nice place to visit for couples. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for romance.

Berkeley is a good city for couples to visit. There's a wonderful mix of cultural activities and outdoor parks that you can explore. There's the Berkeley Rose Garden, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and many charming restaurants.

Pittsburgh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are a few good date night activities like taking river cruises, enjoying dinner and show, or going to a Pirate's game.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Berkeley is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Pittsburgh is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Berkeley. With its eclectic and alternative vibe, backpackers will find their place in this city. There's also a huge student population and a couple of hostels in the area.

Pittsburgh is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's usually overlooked by backpackers, but there is some cheap accommodation in town.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Students?

Berkeley is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

Berkeley is a great city to visit as a student. University of California, Berkeley is a well reviewed university that attracts a progressive and motivated student population. The city is an expensive, but very rewarding place to study with many activities and opportunities for students.

Pittsburgh is not popular with students.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Berkeley is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Berkeley has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It's located in the San Francisco Bay Area, and it has access to buses and several BART stations.

Pittsburgh has a few public transit options. There are bus and lightrail options through the city's downtown. There's also the unique incline, which is an experience worth doing.

Is Pittsburgh or Berkeley a more walkable city?

Berkeley is a must-visit destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Pittsburgh is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

Berkeley is a very easy city to get around on foot. Most of Berkeley is very walkable, particularly the parts around the university.

Pittsburgh is somewhat walkable. Some of the attractions are spread out, but if you're willing to do a bit of walking, it's possible to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Pittsburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Berkeley Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Berkeley or Pittsburgh?

How long in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pittsburgh and Berkeley. In our opinion, Berkeley has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Berkeley than Pittsburgh. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Berkeley than Pittsburgh. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Berkeley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Berkeley than Pittsburgh 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 Berkeley.

One day in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

The city of Pittsburgh offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the progressive city of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Pittsburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pittsburgh, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Berkeley, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Pittsburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Berkeley, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Pittsburgh is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Berkeley is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Pittsburgh and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Pittsburgh or Berkeley?

Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Pittsburgh and Berkeley, 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.