A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Milwaukee for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a fun-filled, underrated, and relaxed coastal city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a friendly, welcoming, and undiscovered city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Milwaukee. While Milwaukee is larger than Saint Petersburg, Saint Petersburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Milwaukee and is known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also well known for St. Pete Beach. Milwaukee is famous for its many breweries and its baseball culture.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Milwaukee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Saint Petersburg. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Milwaukee. There are several unique museums like the Harley-Davidson Museum, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Milwaukee Public Museum. There's also the Milwaukee Art Museum and the Grohmann Museum as well as outdoor sculpture parks and other cultural and historic museums.


Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Saint Petersburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Milwaukee may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The Midwest is known for its artery clogging comfort foods, and Milwaukee is no exception. Cheese curds, fried fish, fruit dumplings, and frozen custard are all popular.

Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Nightlife?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Petersburg has a few options to choose from. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Milwaukee. You'll find a decent number of breweries around town. There are also wine bars, nightclubs, and live music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Milwaukee is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Petersburg makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Milwaukee is not a resort destination.


Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is terrific for the beache. However, Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Saint Petersburg is considered to be a world-class beach destination. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Milwaukee is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee both offer plenty of nice spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Milwaukee offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find the standard shopping centers and shopping malls around town, but if you want some more local vendors, check out the areas around the Historic Third Ward and The Village in Wauwatosa.

Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Milwaukee is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Petersburg is very family-friendly. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Milwaukee. Kids will enjoy a visit to Discovery World, which is a science center with hands-on exhibits. There's also the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Public Museum. Younger kids will also enjoy a stop at Betty Brinn Children's Museum.


Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Milwaukee is lacking in options for couples.

Saint Petersburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Milwaukee is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Take a walk or visit a local restaurant. There are also museums and performances that make for a nice outing.

Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Students?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Milwaukee is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Milwaukee. It's home to a number of colleges and universities, so there is a bit of a college town vibe.

Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Milwaukee. There are buses that travel around town.


Is Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg
Milwaukee

Milwaukee is very good for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Milwaukee is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are relatively compact and walkable. The most walkable neighborhoods are East Side, Riverwest, Brewers Hill, Downtown, Avenues West/Marquette, Third Ward, Walker's Point, and Bay View.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Milwaukee Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Milwaukee or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Petersburg than Milwaukee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Milwaukee.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Milwaukee 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 Saint Petersburg.


  • How many days in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Petersburg 2-4 
    Milwaukee 1-2

One day in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the welcoming destination of Milwaukee. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the welcoming city of Milwaukee. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.


Five days in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Saint Petersburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Milwaukee is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Saint Petersburg is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Milwaukee is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $204, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 Petersburg and Milwaukee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $127
    Milwaukee $99
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $254
    Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee? 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Milwaukee


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Milwaukee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $47
    Milwaukee $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and Saint Petersburg 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Petersburg $49
    Milwaukee $52
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Family Fun Food Tour: $80
  • Local Food Tour: $97
  • Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $13
    Milwaukee $26

Tours and Activities in Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Hour Sailing Adventure in Lake Michigan (up to 6 people): $128
  • 2 Hours Private Tour of Milwaukee Marvels: $246
  • 2-Hour Bus Tour in Milwaukee City: $40
  • Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Cream City Cannibal: Jeffery Dahmer Walking Tour: $53
  • Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour : $67
  • Downtown Kenosha Urban Art and Photography Walking Tour: $30
  • Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
  • Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $11
  • Milwaukee Magic: A Private Christmas Lights Tour: $650
  • Milwaukee Marvels: A 2-Hour Private Tour: $483
  • Milwaukee Private Ghost Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $41
    Milwaukee $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee

Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99


When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Petersburg Expensive? and Is Milwaukee Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee, 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.


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee?

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.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Milwaukee. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Milwaukee in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Milwaukee during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C) 
    Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Milwaukee. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 76°F (24°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee in the Winter?

Both Milwaukee and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Milwaukee can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Milwaukee in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Milwaukee in the Spring?

Both Milwaukee and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the beaches.

In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 47°F (8°C).

In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Milwaukee. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C) 
    Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Milwaukee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 47°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 41°F (5°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)