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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

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 Salt Lake City can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and food.

Saint Petersburg and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

You'll generally find more things to do in Saint Petersburg than Salt Lake City. Saint Petersburg is bigger than Salt Lake City, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Saint Petersburg is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Salt Lake City is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking. Saint Petersburg is well known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Salt Lake City is well known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Spend time exploring the very good sights and museums in either Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salt Lake City can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saint Petersburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Saint Petersburg is very good for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Petersburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Salt Lake City. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Saint Petersburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Saint Petersburg is a very popular vacation 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.

Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Salt Lake City is very good for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Salt Lake City. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Salt Lake City both offer plenty of notable 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.

Salt Lake City offers some nice shopping areas. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Petersburg. 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 Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

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

Salt Lake City is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Salt Lake City offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

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

Is Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg and Salt Lake City are respectable when it comes to walkability.

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

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. 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.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

In Saint Petersburg, you'll find museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the religious destination of Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City?

Saint Petersburg is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find shopping and museums around the religious city of Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. 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.

Salt Lake City 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Salt Lake City?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Salt Lake City, 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.