Comparison · Memphis vs New Orleans · United States
Memphis vs New Orleans
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 New Orleans for Jazz, Mardi Gras and a milder winter. Memphis is generally less expensive, and the two are about 578 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 578 km
- Less expensive
- Memphis
- Best time for Memphis
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for New Orleans
- February–April and October–November
Side by side
| Memphis | New Orleans | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and Soul music at Stax | Jazz, Mardi Gras and French Quarter |
| Best time to visit | April–May and October–November | February–April and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$290 | $220–$350 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | July, 33°C (91°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C (50°F) | January, 17°C (63°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MEM | MSY |
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 New Orleans for…
Jazz, Mardi Gras and a milder winter. New Orleans sits in a bend of the Mississippi, and its oldest districts, the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny, hug the river within walking distance of each other. Most visitors stay in the Quarter or the neighbouring Warehouse District, walk…
Top sights compared
| # | Memphis | New Orleans |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graceland | Jackson Square |
| 2 | National Civil Rights Museum | St. Louis Cathedral |
| 3 | Beale Street | The Cabildo |
| 4 | Sun Studio | Café du Monde and the French Market |
| 5 | Stax Museum of American Soul Music | Bourbon Street |
Food compared
| Memphis | New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Dry-rub ribs | Beignets |
| Pulled pork sandwich | Gumbo |
| Barbecue spaghetti | Jambalaya |
| Barbecue nachos | Po'boy |
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–$350 in New Orleans (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Memphis on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Memphis and New Orleans are about 578 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Memphis and 4 in New Orleans.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Memphis or New Orleans cheaper?
Memphis is usually less expensive: about $180–$290 a day mid-range against $220–$350 (estimates).
+Is Memphis or New Orleans better for a first trip?
Pick Memphis for Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and lower day-to-day costs, or New Orleans for Jazz, Mardi Gras and a milder winter.
+How far is Memphis from New Orleans?
About 578 km in a straight line.