A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America El Paso vs. Moab for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit El Paso or Moab?

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

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 El Paso and Moab can help you decide which place is right for you.

El Paso

El Paso is a laid-back, low-key, and undiscovered city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See El Paso travel costs.

Moab

Moab is a adventurous, active, and scenic town. Moab is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

El Paso and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in El Paso or Moab?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Moab. Although El Paso and Moab are both popular with visitors, Moab has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Moab is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty, while El Paso is known for its museums and attractions, food, and nightlife. Moab is more touristy than El Paso and is known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. It is also home to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. El Paso is popular for its Spanish missions and its outstanding Mexican food.

How is El Paso different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in El Paso or Moab?

El Paso is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

El Paso is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Visitors can learn about local art, culture, and history at the El Paso Museum of Art, the El Paso Museum of History, the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum, and the Eduardo Pedregón Memorial Veterans Museum.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Is the Food Better in El Paso or Moab? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

El Paso is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Moab is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around El Paso. Mexican food and barbecue are popular around town but you'll also find burgers, pizza, and other American favorites.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Moab. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Nightlife?

El Paso is a popular place for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

If you're looking for night time activities El Paso has a few options to choose from. There are a number of bars, nightclubs, and lounges around town where you can enjoy a fun night out.

Most people don't head to Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is an unbeatable place for its hiking trails. However, El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Moab specifically for its hiking. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

El Paso is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in El Paso or Moab?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both El Paso and Moab.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in El Paso. There are a number of malls and outlet centers around town. One of the most well known is Bassett Place, but other options include Cielo Vista Mall and the Fountains at Farah.

Moab offers some nice shopping areas. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Is El Paso or Moab More Beautiful?

Moab is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, El Paso is not a destination known for its beauty.

Moab is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The desert landscapes and unique geological features make this a fascinating and beautiful area to explore. The dramatic arches in Arches National Park tell a unique story of how the geology of the area has changed.

El Paso is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Families?

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

Moab is a very family-friendly destination. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in El Paso. There are adventure parks, playgrounds, outdoor centers and nature activities that families can enjoy.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Couples?

Moab is a very popular place for romance. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Moab makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

Most people don't think of El Paso as a couple's destination. Couples can enjoy dinner and a show or taking a romantic drive up to the overlook.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, El Paso is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Moab is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

El Paso is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's little in the area that appeals to backpackers.

Is El Paso or Moab Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

El Paso is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in El Paso. While there are some bus routes in town, you shouldn't rely on them and must have a private vehicle to efficiently visit the city.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is El Paso or Moab a more walkable city?

El Paso and Moab are decent when it comes to walkability.

El Paso is generally not a very walkable city. You really need a car to get around town.

Moab is generally not very walkable. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is El Paso Worth Visiting? and Is Moab Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moab or El Paso?

How long in El Paso or Moab?

In either El Paso or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Moab than El Paso because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for El Paso, and 2-5 days is enough time in Moab.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Moab than El Paso 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 Moab.

One day in El Paso or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of El Paso. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Moab, you'll find shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in El Paso or Moab?

El Paso is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Moab, you'll find shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Moab has to offer.

Five days in El Paso or Moab?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of El Paso. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in El Paso or Moab?

The undiscovered city of El Paso offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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's hard to know how much time to spend in Moab. Many people enjoy the shopping when visiting Moab. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, El Paso or Moab?

El Paso has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of El Paso and Moab, 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.