Which place is cheaper, Asheville or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Tampa or Asheville? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.
Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Tampa. While Tampa is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Tampa is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities. Asheville is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also home to The Biltmore Estate. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Asheville and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and Asheville can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.
Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.
Asheville offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.
Asheville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.
Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Tampa is not a live music destination.
Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Asheville has diverse options. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.
Tampa is not a live music destination.
Asheville is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.
Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.
Tampa is not a resort destination.
Tampa is a city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.
Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Tampa is well known for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.
Many people visit Tampa for it's beautiful beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.
Asheville is not a beach destination.
Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Tampa does not have a historic old town.
The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.
Tampa does not have a historic old town.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.
Tampa is not a hiking destination.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.
Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.
Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.
Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.
Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Tampa does not offer Christmas markets.
During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.
Tampa does not offer Christmas markets.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Asheville.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.
Asheville is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.
Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.
Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.
Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.
Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.
Tampa is not popular with students.
Asheville is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.
Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.
Asheville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.
Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.
Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.
For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Asheville Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Asheville. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Asheville than Tampa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Asheville than Tampa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Asheville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Asheville than Tampa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Tampa 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 Asheville.
You'll find food around the city of Tampa. 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.
In Asheville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this progressive destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the laid-back city of Tampa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Asheville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Tampa 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.
You'll find live music and food around the progressive destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $179, while the average daily cost in Asheville is $133. 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 Tampa and Asheville in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Asheville? 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.
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Asheville and Tampa 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.
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Asheville, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Asheville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Asheville, 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.
Both Asheville and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun.
Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Asheville. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Asheville. The autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.
Tampa is a little warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Asheville. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Asheville. The cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Asheville. Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Asheville. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Asheville and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Asheville. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Tampa | Asheville | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |