Should you visit Tampa or Detroit?
Should I visit Tampa or Detroit? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
Which city is cheaper, Detroit or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $119, while the average daily cost in Detroit is $107. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Detroit in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Tampa For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Detroit can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $51, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $102.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Tampa cost around $35 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
In Detroit travelers spend around $36 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Tampa $35
Detroit $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home:
$94
-
Detroit Revival Food Tours:
$139
Local Transportation
Tampa's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $38 per person, per day on transportation in Tampa.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Detroit than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $30 on transportation in Detroit on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer from Tampa International Airport to Tampa:
$75
-
Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$164
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Port Canaveral:
$526
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$393
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Sarasota:
$120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit:
$100
-
Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport:
$122
-
Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City:
$122
-
Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer:
$149
-
Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW:
$43
-
Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$212
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Detroit?
Prices for flights to both Detroit 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tampa can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Detroit, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $17 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa:
$31
-
2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa:
$60
-
Adventure Island Water Park Ticket:
$63
-
Bayshore Drive Motorbike Tour:
$199
-
Bicycle Tour Orlando, Over Tampa Bay Ride:
$150
-
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket:
$110
-
Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour:
$59
-
Motorcycle Tour of Sunshine Skyway Bridge:
$299
-
Nature Coast Private Day Tour From Tampa with Photographer , Max Group of 4:
$250
-
Nature Lovers Combo Tour:
$136
-
Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket:
$26
-
Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket:
$45
Tours and Activities in Detroit
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour:
$18
-
90 minute Segway Experience:
$64
-
Detroit Beer History Walking Tour:
$39
-
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$30
-
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover:
$29
-
Corktown is Popping! Small Group Walking Tour:
$29
-
Downtown Detroit Walking Tour with a Local:
$29
-
Foods and Flavors of Detroit Private Tour:
$130
-
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Entry & Guided Tour:
$15
-
The Rise, Fall & Renewal Walking Tour:
$29
-
Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour:
$49
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tampa spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Detroit spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
-
Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City:
$26
-
Private Tampa Brewery Tour - Party Bus:
$600
When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Detroit, we can see that Tampa 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.
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