A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Salt Lake City for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City, 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.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a colonial, historic, and notable city. Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Augustine travel costs.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. It's also known for museums, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Salt Lake City travel costs.

Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Popular beach
  • Scenic old town
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine than Salt Lake City, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Augustine is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Salt Lake City is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking. Saint Augustine is well known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. Also, Saint Augustine is famous for the Colonial Quarter. Salt Lake City is well known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population.

How is Saint Augustine different from Salt Lake City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Both Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City have excellent landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Saint Augustine can be an interesting and educational experience. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Salt Lake City. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.


Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Saint Augustine has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is very good for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Augustine. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Salt Lake City has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Saint Augustine is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.


Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for the beach. However, Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. However, Salt Lake City does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Saint Augustine is revered around the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Salt Lake City does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Salt Lake City has hiking trails worth exploring. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Saint Augustine. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City More Beautiful?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Salt Lake City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Saint Augustine offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.

Salt Lake City is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Augustine. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.


Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Saint Augustine is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Salt Lake City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Is Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine
Salt Lake City

Saint Augustine is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for its walkability.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable destination. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.


For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Augustine than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Salt Lake 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 Saint Augustine.


  • How many days in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint Augustine 3-4 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

In Saint Augustine, you'll find museums and nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The notable destination of Salt Lake City offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The city of Salt Lake City offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. 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.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. It offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Salt Lake City is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Salt Lake City. 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.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or Saint Augustine?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
    Salt Lake City Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Saint Augustine $195
    Salt Lake City $282

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, while the average daily cost in Salt Lake City is $282. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Augustine $86
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Augustine $172
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City? 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.

Hotels in Saint Augustine


Hotels in Salt Lake City


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Augustine $39
    Salt Lake City $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36
  • Private Transfer from SLC to Park City UT : $286
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City hotel or address: $286
  • Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $132
  • Private Transfer: Hotels to SLC Airport: $45
  • Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City and Saint Augustine 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Augustine $85
    Salt Lake City $86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Augustine $18
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • St. Augustine Ghost Tour on Premium Golf Cart with PiCk Up : $39
  • 1 Hour Historical Tour of Saint Augustine Florida & FREE Parking: $36
  • 1 Hour Private Historical Tour of Saint Augustine, Florida : $250
  • 10:30pm Shadows of the Supernatural Tour : $25
  • 8pm Beyond the Grave Tour: $25
  • : Step back in time with pastime private historical tours: $38
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine: $40
  • Adventure Boat Tours Dolphin Tails & History Cruise St Augustine : $38
  • Airboat Adventure in Saint Augustine with a Guide: $80
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • Bastions of St. Augustine Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99

Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City

For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Utah Jazz Basketball Game Ticket: $6.55
  • Utah Jazz Basketball Game Ticket at Delta Center: $8.02
  • Mormon History Salt Lake Self-Guided Audio app Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Salt Lake City by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • Salt Lake City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Walking Tour in Salt Lake City: $20
  • Shadows of Old Salt Lake Walking Tour: $23
  • Salt Lake Ghost Tour: Salt, Spooks, & Shadows: $24
  • Salt Lake City Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Salt Lake City Haunted Old Town Tour: $25
  • Salt Lake City Historical Walking Tour of the City of Zion : $32
  • The City of Zion Walking Tour: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Augustine $25
    Salt Lake City $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • St. Augustine Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Dark History Pub Crawl from Saint Augustine: $40
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Spirits with the Spirits haunted pub crawl - drinks included: $59
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129

Sample the Local Flavors in Salt Lake City

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salt Lake City:

  • Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour: $20


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

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


Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Salt Lake City, 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.