A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Memphis vs. Charlottesville for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Memphis or Charlottesville?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Charlottesville, 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.

Memphis

Memphis is a creative, laid-back, and soulful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Memphis travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Memphis and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Memphis or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Memphis. Although Memphis and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Memphis has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Memphis is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Memphis is popular for its influential music scene and its southern barbecue. It is also home to Elvis Presley's Graceland. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Memphis different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Memphis or Charlottesville?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Charlottesville and Memphis.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Memphis. Many attractions in town are related to the city's history in music. There is the famed Graceland as well as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The city also has several art museums that are worth checking out.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Memphis or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Memphis is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Memphis has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town has grown into a foodie destination with excellent barbecue and ribs. There are many award winning barbecue joints, but you'll also find casual bars that serve nachos, pizza, and other quick bites.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Memphis is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Memphis has something for everybody. Music is at the heart of the nightlife scene. Head to Beale Street in Memphis's downtown for the most active nightlife that usually stays open the latest. You'll also find a lot of bars and clubs in Midtown around Overton Square.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Music?

Memphis is terrific for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Memphis. There are plenty of live music venues in the downtown area that you can explore. Several of the most famous include B.B. King's Blues Club, Handy Park Pavilion, and Blues City Cafe. The city is known for its influential role in several music genres including the blues, soul, and rock 'n' roll. There are also many music related museums and attractions in town like Graceland, the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Blues Hall of Fame and Stax Museum of American Soul Music.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Memphis does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Memphis does not have a historic old town.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Memphis is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Memphis or Charlottesville?

Memphis is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Memphis has some nice offerings. The city has plenty of malls and chain stores where you can grab anything you might need.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Memphis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Memphis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Memphis and Charlottesville are both good destinations for the whole family.

Memphis offers lots of family activities. The town has some great activities for kids including a zoo, several museums, petting farms, and a botanical garden.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Memphis and Charlottesville are both good to visit as a couple.

Memphis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy good music and southern food will enjoy a weekend here. There are many music related landmarks including Graceland and the Rock 'n' Soul Museum. Live music is very popular as well.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Memphis is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Memphis. There are a couple of hostels and plenty of live music that make this a popular stop off for young travelers.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Memphis is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Memphis is a good city to visit for students. The live music scene and great food options make this is a fun town for students.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Memphis and Charlottesville both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Memphis. There is a trolley and bus system that the city operates, but a car is really helpful for getting around.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Memphis or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Memphis is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Memphis is a somewhat walkable place. Most of the touristy parts of town are walkable, but if you want to explore further out you'll need a car.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Memphis Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Memphis?

How long in Memphis or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Memphis and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Memphis has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Memphis than Charlottesville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Memphis than Charlottesville 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 Memphis.

One day in Memphis or Charlottesville?

The soulful destination of Memphis offers nightlife and live music. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. This university 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 Memphis or Charlottesville?

The city of Memphis offers live music and food. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charlottesville has to offer.

Five days in Memphis or Charlottesville?

Memphis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville 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.

A week in Memphis or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Memphis. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

When comparing the travel costs between Memphis and Charlottesville, we can see that Memphis 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Memphis or Charlottesville?

Memphis has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Memphis and Charlottesville, 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 Memphis or Charlottesville?

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 Memphis or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Memphis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Memphis for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Memphis is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 83°F (29°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. Memphis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during summer. Memphis gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. In July, Memphis usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Memphis gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Memphis or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Memphis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Memphis in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Memphis is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Memphis averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Memphis. In the autumn, Memphis often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Memphis gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Memphis usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Memphis gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Memphis or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Memphis and Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Memphis for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. Memphis can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Memphis is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Memphis in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Memphis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during winter. Memphis gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Memphis usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Memphis gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Memphis or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Memphis as well as Charlottesville. The spring months attract visitors to Memphis because of the activities around the city. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In April, Memphis is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Memphis average around 64°F (18°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In the spring, Memphis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Memphis gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Memphis receives a lot of rain in the spring. Memphis usually gets more rain in April than Charlottesville. Memphis gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Memphis