A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Detroit vs. Toronto for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Detroit or Toronto?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Toronto, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Detroit

Detroit is a under-rated, hardworking, and overlooked city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food. See Detroit travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a diverse, vibrant, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Toronto travel costs.

Detroit and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Toronto?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toronto than Detroit. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toronto is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Detroit attracts visitors for its music. Toronto is more touristy than Detroit and is known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population. It is also well known for the CN Tower. Detroit is famous for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry.

How is Detroit different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Detroit or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Toronto are world-renowned. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Detroit or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toronto is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Toronto has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Detroit area. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Toronto is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Detroit is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Music?

Detroit is terrific for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

Detroit is known as a music capital around the world. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Toronto?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Toronto draws large crowds to its stores. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Many visitors go to Detroit to go shopping. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Families?

Toronto is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Toronto is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Detroit. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for couples.

Toronto makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Toronto. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

Detroit is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in the area, but this is still an often overlooked city.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Students?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Detroit is not popular with students.

Is Detroit or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toronto is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. However, Detroit is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Visitors in Toronto can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Public transit is generally limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Detroit or Toronto a more walkable city?

Toronto is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Toronto is a very walkable city. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable city. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Toronto?

Both Detroit and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Detroit. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Detroit, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Detroit 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 Toronto.

One day in Detroit or Toronto?

In Detroit, you'll find shopping and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Detroit or Toronto?

In Detroit, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Detroit has to offer.

Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Detroit or Toronto?

Detroit is a great place to explore. 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.

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Detroit or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Detroit. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Detroit. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. Because Toronto is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Detroit. When comparing the sizes of Detroit and Toronto, 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 Detroit or Toronto?

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 Detroit or Toronto in the Summer?

Both Toronto and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Detroit this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Detroit is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 74°F (24°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Toronto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during summer. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Detroit usually receives more rain than Toronto. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Detroit or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Detroit during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Detroit is a little warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Toronto. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Toronto in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Toronto. Many visitors come to Detroit in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Toronto can be very cold during winter. Detroit can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Detroit is around the same temperature as Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Detroit in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).

Detroit usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Detroit usually receives around the same amount of rain as Toronto. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Detroit or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Toronto. Most visitors come to Detroit for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.

In April, Detroit is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 49°F (9°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the spring, Detroit often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in April than Toronto. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Detroit