A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America West Palm Beach vs. Salt Lake City for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Families, and Couples

Should you visit West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

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

Should I visit West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City? 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.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See West Palm Beach travel costs.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a religious, architectural, and notable city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Salt Lake City travel costs.

West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Popular beach
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good scuba and snorkeling destination
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Home to Temple Square
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

You'll generally find more things to do in Salt Lake City than West Palm Beach. Salt Lake City is bigger than West Palm Beach, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Salt Lake City is better known for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and shopping, while West Palm Beach is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Salt Lake City is well known for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. Also, Salt Lake City is famous for Temple Square.

How is West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a great city for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Salt Lake City offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.


Is the Food Better in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a popular place for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Salt Lake City. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

West Palm Beach has a large number of nightlife venues. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, West Palm Beach is a perfect choice. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Salt Lake City is not a resort destination.


Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach is a very popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

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.

Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Beaches?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, West Palm Beach is a very popular vacation destination. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Salt Lake City is not a beach destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Hiking?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a popular place for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

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

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a popular place for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Salt Lake City. 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.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Families?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Couples?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

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

West Palm Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While West Palm Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Salt Lake City has a few public transit options. 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.

Is West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City a more walkable city?

West Palm Beach
Salt Lake City

West Palm Beach is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for its walkability.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable beach area. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

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 West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Salt Lake City or West Palm Beach?

How long in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Salt Lake City. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Salt Lake City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salt Lake City than West Palm Beach 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 Salt Lake City.


  • How many days in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City? Ideal Length of Stay
    West Palm Beach 3-7 
    Salt Lake City 2-3

One day in West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The architectural 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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

West Palm Beach is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in West Palm Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

In West Palm Beach, you'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. One week is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City or West Palm Beach?

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

  • West Palm Beach Prices
    USA Prices
    Salt Lake City Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    West Palm Beach $378
    Salt Lake City $282

The average daily cost (per person) in West Palm Beach is $378, 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 West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    West Palm Beach $234
    Salt Lake City $119
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    West Palm Beach $468
    Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City

Looking for a hotel in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach


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: West Palm Beach Hotel Prices and Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    West Palm Beach $49
    Salt Lake City $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in West Palm Beach

Also for West Palm Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Palm Beach to Palm Beach Cruise Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach Port: $72
  • Private Transfer from PBI to Palm Beach City : $149
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach: $72
  • Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Palm Beach hotels to Cruise Port of Palm Beach - Departure Private Transfer : $109
  • Palm Beach Intl Airport (PBI) to Port of Palm Beach - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $84
  • Palm Beach International Airport: Transfer to Palm Beach: $70
  • Palm Beach Airport (PBI) to Palm Beach City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $213
  • Limo Service Transfer To or From Palm Beach Airport and Hotels: $139
  • Cruise Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $109
  • Cruise Port of Palm Beach to Palm Beach Arrival Private Transfer: $155

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City and West Palm Beach 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
    West Palm Beach $114
    Salt Lake City $86

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in West Palm Beach

For West Palm Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Mornings in the Market Food Tour: $75
  • Mornings in the Market Food Tour: $75
  • Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour: $94
  • Downtown Food Tour: $94
  • Food Tour of Historic West Palm Beach Neighborhoods: $105
  • Prohibition Dinner & Drinks Tour: $110
  • Prohibition Dinner & Drinks Tour: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    West Palm Beach $19
    Salt Lake City $28

Tours and Activities in West Palm Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for West Palm Beach.

  • 2 ½ - Hour Guided Snorkel Tour of Phil Foster park, Free Videos!: $44
  • 3 Hour Cruise & Swimming Excursion from Downtown West Palm Beach: $77
  • Beginner Scuba Diving Experience With Videos in West Palm Beach: $99
  • Blue Heron Bridge Guided Snorkel Tour : $80
  • Bulk Candy Store Tour: $13
  • Clear Kayak Eco Tour in Jupiter, Florida: $75
  • Clear Kayak Peanut Island Guided Tour Palm Beach Singer Island: $90
  • Cruise the Palm Beach Intracoastal on a 90 minute Tour : $65
  • Experience Peanut Island Adventures: $50
  • Experience Peanut Island Adventures with Go Pro : $300
  • Flamingle Happy Hour Cruise: $40
  • Guided Clear Kayak Eco-Tour of Jupiter: $89

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:

  • 4-Day Yellowstone&Mount Rushmore Tour from Salt Lake City: $1,348
  • 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $39
  • 8-Day Tour: LA, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone & Las Vegas: $1,399
  • Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure: $99
  • Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure: $149
  • From 6-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour: $3,884
  • From Bonneville Salt Flats Guided Tour: $149
  • From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
  • From Yellowstone & Grand Teton 5-Day Tour: $1,368
  • From Salt Lake Private Experience to Bonneville Salt Flats: $179
  • Gourmet Dining Experience : $215
  • Grand Teton,Yellowstone National Park 3-Day Tour from SLC: $1,016

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    West Palm Beach $39
    Salt Lake City $17

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 West Palm Beach and Salt Lake City, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Salt Lake City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Salt Lake City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salt Lake 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in Salt Lake City.

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


Which is Bigger, West Palm Beach or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach 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.