A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a festive, vibrant, and energetic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Saint Petersburg and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Saint Petersburg, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Saint Petersburg is known for its museums, resorts, beaches, and shopping. New Orleans is more touristy than Saint Petersburg and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Saint Petersburg is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities.

The French Quarter

How is Saint Petersburg different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

New Orleans has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Petersburg. 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.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is terrific for nightlife. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife and partying.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is terrific for live music. However, Saint Petersburg is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is known as a music capital around the world. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Saint Petersburg is not a live music destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

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

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, New Orleans 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is great for its historic old town. However, Saint Petersburg does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Saint Petersburg does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

Saint Petersburg is a coastal city with good options for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans Better for Students?

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

It's common for students to visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

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

Saint Petersburg and New Orleans both offer decent 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 New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Saint Petersburg or New Orleans a more walkable city?

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

New Orleans is somewhat walkable. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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 New Orleans Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in New Orleans. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans than Saint Petersburg 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 New Orleans.

One day in Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed coastal city of Saint Petersburg. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. 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.

You'll find food and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of New Orleans. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal 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 nightlife and live music around the energetic city of New Orleans. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 New Orleans?

The underrated coastal city of Saint Petersburg offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

New Orleans is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Petersburg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans than you might in Saint Petersburg.

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 New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 New Orleans in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and New Orleans. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as New Orleans. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Orleans in the Winter?

Both New Orleans 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 New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the beaches. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In New Orleans, 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 New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Saint Petersburg