Comparison · Memphis vs Nashville · United States
Memphis vs Nashville
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Memphis for Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and lower day-to-day costs; choose Nashville for Country music and Honky-tonks on Broadway. Memphis is generally less expensive, and the two are about 316 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 316 km
- Less expensive
- Memphis
- Best time for Memphis
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for Nashville
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Memphis | Nashville | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and Soul music at Stax | Country music, Honky-tonks on Broadway and Grand Ole Opry |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$290 | $220–$360 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C (50°F) | January, 9°C (48°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MEM | BNA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Memphis for…
Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and lower day-to-day costs. Memphis sits on a bluff above the Mississippi in the far southwest corner of Tennessee, where the blues of the Delta met country, gospel and R&B and helped give birth to rock 'n' roll. Visitors come for Graceland, Sun Studio and the Stax Museum of American…
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Choose Nashville for…
Country music and Honky-tonks on Broadway. Nashville, Tennessee's capital on the Cumberland River, is the centre of the country-music industry, earning it the nickname Music City. Lower Broadway's honky-tonks play live music from late morning until late at night, while the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand…
Top sights compared
| # | Memphis | Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graceland | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum |
| 2 | National Civil Rights Museum | Ryman Auditorium |
| 3 | Beale Street | Grand Ole Opry |
| 4 | Sun Studio | Lower Broadway honky-tonks |
| 5 | Stax Museum of American Soul Music | Johnny Cash Museum |
Food compared
| Memphis | Nashville |
|---|---|
| Dry-rub ribs | Nashville hot chicken |
| Pulled pork sandwich | Meat-and-three |
| Barbecue spaghetti | Biscuits |
| Barbecue nachos | Whole-hog barbecue |
Which is cheaper?
Memphis is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$290 per person there, against $220–$360 in Nashville (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Memphis on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Memphis and Nashville are about 316 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Memphis and 3 in Nashville.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Memphis or Nashville cheaper?
Memphis is usually less expensive: about $180–$290 a day mid-range against $220–$360 (estimates).
+Is Memphis or Nashville better for a first trip?
Pick Memphis for Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and lower day-to-day costs, or Nashville for Country music and Honky-tonks on Broadway.
+How far is Memphis from Nashville?
About 316 km in a straight line.