Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or Reno?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Reno or Anchorage? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Reno is a growing, vibrant, and energetic city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Anchorage is a breathtaking, cultural, and artsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.
You'll generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Reno. Anchorage is bigger than Reno, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Anchorage is better known for its hiking and impressive beauty, while Reno is more popular for its nightlife. Anchorage is more touristy than Reno and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. Also, Anchorage is famous for Chugach State Park. Reno is well known for its casinos and nightlife scene.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Anchorage and Reno. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Anchorage and Reno.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Reno. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.
Anchorage is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Reno and Anchorage.
Reno is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.
Anchorage offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.
Reno is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.
Reno offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.
Anchorage is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.
People visit Anchorage specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.
Reno is not a hiking destination.
Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Reno and Anchorage.
Reno has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.
Anchorage is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Reno or Anchorage.
Reno is a family-friendly city. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Anchorage. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.
Anchorage is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Anchorage makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.
Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.
Anchorage is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno is lacking in options for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.
Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.
Reno is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.
Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.
Reno and Anchorage are respectable when it comes to walkability.
Reno is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.
Anchorage is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Reno Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Reno and Anchorage. In our opinion, Anchorage has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Anchorage than Reno. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Couples should spend more time in Anchorage than Reno. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Anchorage that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Anchorage than Reno 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 Anchorage.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Reno. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Reno has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Anchorage. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the growing destination of Reno. 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.
Anchorage is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the growing city of Reno. 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.
You'll find shopping and museums around the breathtaking destination of Anchorage. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Reno 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.
The scenic city of Anchorage offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Reno is $144, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. 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 Reno and Anchorage in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Reno or Anchorage? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Reno 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 Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Anchorage.
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reno and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Reno.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Anchorage has a larger population, and is about 29% larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Reno and Anchorage, 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.