Which city is cheaper, Phoenix or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Washington and Phoenix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $155, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $187. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Washington and Phoenix in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Phoenix? 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.
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Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Phoenix and Washington 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Washington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Washington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Washington 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 Washington.
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.
Both Phoenix and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Washington for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Washington is generally cooler than Phoenix. Temperatures in Washington average around 79°F (26°C), and Phoenix stays around 98°F (36°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Washington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Phoenix and Washington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Washington in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Washington is much colder than Phoenix in the autumn. The temperature in Washington is usually 60°F (15°C) in October, and Phoenix stays around 79°F (26°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Washington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Washington can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Washington is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Washington in January are around 35°F (1°C), and Phoenix is about 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Washington usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Washington as well as Phoenix. The spring months attract visitors to Washington because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Washington is generally much colder than Phoenix. Temperatures in Washington average around 56°F (14°C), and Phoenix stays around 74°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Washington this time of the year. In the spring, Washington often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Washington | Phoenix | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
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