A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. Moab for Families, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Ocean City or Moab?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Moab? 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.

Ocean City

Ocean City is a energetic, fun-filled, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Ocean City travel costs.

Moab

Moab is a scenic, adventurous, and active town. You'll find world class beauty in Moab as well. Other popular activities here include hiking and shopping. See Moab travel costs.

Ocean City and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ocean City or Moab?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Moab than Ocean City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Moab is better known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Ocean City is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches. Ocean City is well known for its miles of sandy beach, fun-filled activities, and thrilling water sports. Moab is well known for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. Also, Moab is famous for Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

How is Ocean City different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ocean City or Moab?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Ocean City or Moab.

Ocean City offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people spend their time on the beach, but for the rainy days you can check out the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum or the Art League of Ocean City.

While most people don't head to Moab specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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 Ocean City or Moab? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ocean City 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 Ocean City. Themed restaurants are popular in the area. You'll also find all-you-can-eat seafood buffets and casual diners with pancakes and waffles. Pizza, burgers, and other fast food options are also abundant.

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 Ocean City or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Ocean City is great for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Ocean City for the nightlife scene. Happy hours are popular at the bars in the area. You'll also find live music and DJ led parties. Head to the boardwalk, which will overwhelm your senses. There are neon lights, colorful rides, and arcades filled with people and activities.

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 Ocean City or Moab Better for Resorts?

Ocean City is great for its luxury resorts. However, Moab is not a resort destination.

Ocean City is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are many oceanfront resorts with pools and rooms with ocean views. The hotels along the beach tend to be the most expensive, but if you find a place across from the Coastal Highway, it's very challenging to walk to the beach.

Moab is not a resort destination.

Is Ocean City or Moab Better for Beaches?

Ocean City is great for its beaches. However, Moab is not a beach destination.

Ocean City is considered a top beach destination. There are ten miles of sandy beach that are lined with hotels and resorts. A festive boardwalk runs along the coastline and has many rides, arcades, restaurants, and more. The beach offers waves and warm water during the summer months.

Moab is not a beach destination.

Is Ocean City or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is a world-class destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

People visit Moab specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.

Ocean City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ocean City or Moab?

Moab is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Ocean City is not a good city for shopping.

Many visitors go to Moab to go shopping. 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.

Ocean City is a good destination for shopping. You'll find surf stores and souvenir shops along the three mile boardwalk. There are also many vendors and shopping centers along the Coastal Highway. For something a little more interesting you can head to the Inlet Village.

Is Ocean City or Moab More Beautiful?

Moab is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Moab as well. 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.

Ocean City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ocean City or Moab Better for Families?

Ocean City is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moab is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Ocean City is a very family-friendly destination. Beyond the family-friendly beach, there's also minigolf, dolphin tours, and themed-restaurants that are perfect for kids. Head to the Jolly Roger amusement park for a thrilling afternoon or spend some time visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not. The boardwalk is lined with activities for both kids and adults. There are also candy shops, ice cream parlors, and pizza joints where you can grab a bite to eat.

Moab is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Ocean City or Moab Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Ocean City and Moab make for a high quality place to visit.

Ocean City is a very popular place to visit for couples. Hotels line the beach, many with beautiful views and nice pools. You can take long romantic walks along the coastline or head to one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

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.

Is Ocean City or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Ocean City is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Moab is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Ocean City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any hostels in the area, but there are some affordable motels if you look beyond the beachfront properties.

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

Ocean City 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 Ocean City. There are boardwalk trams as well as shuttle buses, but most people have their own vehicle, and its recommended you have a private car to get around.

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 Ocean City or Moab a more walkable city?

Ocean City and Moab both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Ocean City is generally not very walkable. If you stay at an oceanfront hotel or on the ocean block, it's possible to walk to the beach. If you stay further back, you'll have to cross the Coastal Highway, which is eight lanes of busy traffic.

Moab is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Ocean City Worth Visiting? and Is Moab Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moab or Ocean City?

How long in Ocean City or Moab?

In either Ocean City or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Ocean City than Moab because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Ocean City, and 2-5 days is enough time in Moab.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Moab than Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ocean City. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping around the adventurous town of Moab, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Ocean City or Moab?

Ocean City is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With shopping around the destination of Moab, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Ocean City or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the fun-filled destination of Ocean City. This city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Moab, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Ocean City or Moab?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the active city of Ocean City. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Moab is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Ocean City.

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

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Moab?

Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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.