Comparison · Memphis vs St. Louis · United States
Memphis vs St. Louis
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 a milder winter; choose St. Louis for Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 387 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 387 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Memphis
- April–May and October–November
- Best time for St. Louis
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Memphis | St. Louis | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and Soul music at Stax | Gateway Arch, Forest Park and Free museums |
| 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 | $180–$290 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 10°C (50°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 12 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MEM | STL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Memphis for…
Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and a milder winter. 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 St. Louis for…
Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights. St. Louis grew where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi, as a French fur-trading post and later the gateway for pioneers heading west, a role commemorated by the 192-metre Gateway Arch on the riverfront. Its greatest asset for visitors is Forest Park…
Top sights compared
| # | Memphis | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graceland | Gateway Arch |
| 2 | National Civil Rights Museum | Forest Park |
| 3 | Beale Street | Saint Louis Zoo |
| 4 | Sun Studio | Saint Louis Art Museum |
| 5 | Stax Museum of American Soul Music | Missouri History Museum |
Food compared
| Memphis | St. Louis |
|---|---|
| Dry-rub ribs | Toasted ravioli |
| Pulled pork sandwich | St. Louis-style pizza |
| Barbecue spaghetti | Gooey butter cake |
| Barbecue nachos | Frozen custard concrete |
Which is cheaper?
Memphis and St. Louis cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$290 in Memphis and $180–$290 in St. Louis (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Memphis on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Memphis and St. Louis are about 387 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Memphis and 3 in St. Louis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Memphis or St. Louis cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$290 in Memphis and $180–$290 in St. Louis (estimates).
+Is Memphis or St. Louis better for a first trip?
Pick Memphis for Graceland and Elvis, Blues on Beale Street and a milder winter, or St. Louis for Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights.
+How far is Memphis from St. Louis?
About 387 km in a straight line.