A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Phoenix for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Phoenix?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Phoenix? 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

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tampa than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Tampa, Tampa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tampa is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, hiking, and shopping. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Tampa different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Phoenix?

Phoenix is a popular place for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Phoenix. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Phoenix? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and Phoenix can be difficult as they are each nice 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Phoenix is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

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.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Tampa. 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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a great city for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Tampa attract visitors from all over. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix is a good destination for hiking. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Phoenix?

Phoenix is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Phoenix has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Families?

Tampa is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Phoenix is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Phoenix is a good city for couples to visit. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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.

Is Tampa or Phoenix Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

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.

Is Tampa or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Tampa and Phoenix are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Tampa is generally not a very walkable city. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Phoenix. In our opinion, Phoenix has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Phoenix than Tampa. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Phoenix 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 Phoenix.

One day in Tampa or Phoenix?

In Tampa, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Phoenix, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this sprawling destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Phoenix?

In Tampa, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tampa has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Phoenix. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Five days in Tampa or Phoenix?

Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Phoenix. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Phoenix, 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 Tampa or Phoenix?

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 Tampa or Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Phoenix. Many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Tampa is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampa or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Phoenix. Most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Tampa is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the autumn, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In January, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampa usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampa or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

Tampa is around the same temperature as Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the spring, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Tampa