A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tallahassee vs. Salt Lake City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tallahassee and Salt Lake City can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a lively, vibrant, and youthful city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and hiking.

Tallahassee and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Salt Lake City. Although Tallahassee and Salt Lake City are about the same size, Salt Lake City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Salt Lake City is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, and hiking, while Tallahassee attracts visitors for its nightlife. Salt Lake City is more touristy than Tallahassee and is known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. It is also well known for Temple Square. Tallahassee is famous for its capital building and many universities.

How is Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Salt Lake City and Tallahassee.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Tallahassee. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital Museum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Salt Lake City. 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 Tallahassee or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Salt Lake City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

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 Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Tallahassee is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Salt Lake City. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

If you're looking to go shopping, Tallahassee and Salt Lake City both offer plenty of nice spots.

Tallahassee has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. 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 Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Both Tallahassee and Salt Lake City are nice to visit with kids.

Tallahassee offers lots of family activities. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Salt Lake City is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

Salt Lake City is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.

Is Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Tallahassee is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Tallahassee is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Salt Lake City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in town, but most backpackers overlook this destination or breeze through town quickly.

Is Tallahassee or Salt Lake City Better for Students?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Tallahassee is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Tallahassee is very popular with students. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

Salt Lake City is not popular with students.


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

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Is Tallahassee or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Tallahassee
Salt Lake City

Tallahassee and Salt Lake City are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Tallahassee is generally not a very walkable city. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.

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 Tallahassee Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallahassee and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Salt Lake City than in Tallahassee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Tallahassee, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

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

Couples should spend more time in Salt Lake City than Tallahassee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Salt Lake City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tallahassee than Salt Lake City 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 Tallahassee.


  • How many days in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tallahassee 1-2 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

In Tallahassee, you'll find nightlife and shopping. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the architectural city of Salt Lake City. 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.


A weekend in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Tallahassee is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the notable destination of Salt Lake City. 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.

Five days in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tallahassee. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

The religious city of Salt Lake City offers shopping and museums. 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.

A week in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the city of Tallahassee. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Salt Lake City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


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 Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or Tallahassee?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallahassee is $156, while the average daily cost in Salt Lake City is $246. 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 Tallahassee and Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallahassee $89
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallahassee $178
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Tallahassee and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in Tallahassee or Salt Lake City? 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 Tallahassee


Hotels in Salt Lake City


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: Tallahassee Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallahassee $33
    Salt Lake City $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Salt Lake Airport (SLC) to Canyons Village - Round-Trip Transfer: $228
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC): Transfer to Salt Lake City: $200
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City UT - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $180
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Salt Lake City : $119
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) : $106
  • Private Transfer: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $106
  • Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City and Tallahassee 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
    Tallahassee $47
    Salt Lake City $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallahassee $12
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in Tallahassee

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tallahassee.

  • Experience Tranquility with a Picnic at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Luxury Picnic Experience at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Tallahassee Delights: A Christmas Tour Through Art and Parks: $245
  • Tallahassee Delights: A Christmas Tour Through Art and Parks: $481
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $191
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $375

Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City

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

  • 2 Hour Salt Lake Boat Tour with Swimming on the Lake: $79
  • 4-Day Winter Yellowstone Tour: $2,499
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $37
  • 5-day Tour Yellowstone Park Los Angeles-Salt Lake City: $1,558
  • From 3-Day Yellowstone Wildlife Adventure: $999
  • From Private Bryce Canyon National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Canyonlands National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Capitol Reef National Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Private Tour of Arches National Park: $1,475
  • Great Salt Lake Flying Tour: $249
  • Great Salt Lake Guided Bus Tour from Salt Lake City: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallahassee $53
    Salt Lake City $17


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallahassee and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City is more expensive. And not only is Tallahassee much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallahassee would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tallahassee Expensive? and Is Salt Lake City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Tallahassee. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee 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.