Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Saint Louis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Philadelphia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
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. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Philadelphia than Saint Louis. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Saint Louis is famous for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. 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 Saint Louis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Saint Louis and Philadelphia have world-class landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.
The museums and tourist attractions in Philadelphia are world-renowned. 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.
Philadelphia is well known for theatre. However, Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
Philadelphia offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. 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.
Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
Philadelphia is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Philadelphia makes for a great culinary experience. 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.
Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.
Philadelphia is well known for nightlife. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
Philadelphia is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.
If you're looking for night time activities Saint Louis has a few options to choose from. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.
Philadelphia is well known for live music. However, Saint Louis is not a live music destination.
Music is a popular form of entertainment in Philadelphia. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.
Saint Louis is not a live music destination.
Philadelphia is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.
Many visitors go to Philadelphia to see the historical old town. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.
Saint Louis does not have a historic old town.
Shopping is a popular activity in both Philadelphia and Saint Louis.
Saint Louis is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.
Philadelphia is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Philadelphia is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.
Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Philadelphia. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.
Saint Louis does not offer Christmas activities.
Philadelphia is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Saint Louis does not offer Christmas markets.
Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Philadelphia. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.
Saint Louis does not offer Christmas markets.
Both Saint Louis and Philadelphia are great family-friendly destinations.
Saint Louis is a very family-friendly place to visit. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Philadelphia is very family-friendly. 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.
Saint Louis and Philadelphia both nice destinations for a couple.
Saint Louis is a nice destination for couples. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.
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 good destination for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.
Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.
Philadelphia is well known for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.
Many students visit Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.
Saint Louis is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint Louis and Philadelphia.
Visitors to Saint Louis can move around easily with public transportation. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
The public transit in Philadelphia can get you around easily. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.
Philadelphia is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.
Getting around Philadelphia on foot is easy. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.
Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Philadelphia Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Louis and Philadelphia. In our opinion, Philadelphia has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Philadelphia than Saint Louis. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 2-3 days is enough time in Philadelphia.
Families should spend more time in Philadelphia than Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis. 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this under rated city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Philadelphia is a cultural 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.
Saint Louis is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. 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 museums and nightlife around the under rated destination of Saint Louis. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. 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.
Saint Louis is a popular place to visit. 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 Saint Louis is $184, 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 Saint Louis and Philadelphia in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis 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 specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and Saint Louis 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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 Saint Louis:
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Louis and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis 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 places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Philadelphia. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Philadelphia and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during autumn. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Philadelphia and Saint Louis during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
It's quite cold in Philadelphia in the winter. The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. Saint Louis is much warmer than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
In the winter, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.
Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Philadelphia. Furthermore, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Saint Louis is a little warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during spring. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
Saint Louis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Louis | Philadelphia | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |