Comparison · Palm Springs vs Phoenix · United States
Palm Springs vs Phoenix
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway; choose Phoenix for Sonoran Desert and Camelback Mountain. Phoenix is generally less expensive, and the two are about 416 km (259 mi) apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 416 km (259 mi)
- Less expensive
- Phoenix
- Best time for Palm Springs
- February–April and November
- Best time for Phoenix
- November–April
Plan either trip
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Side by side
| Palm Springs | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Mid-century modern architecture, Aerial tramway and Desert palm canyons | Sonoran Desert, Camelback Mountain and Saguaro cacti |
| Best time to visit | February–April and November | November–April |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | US$250–400 | US$200–380 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 42°C (108°F) | July, 41°C (106°F) |
| Coldest month | December, 20°C (68°F) | January, 19°C (66°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 5 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | PSP, ONT | PHX, AZA |
Month by month
Going by our guides' own ratings, the better pick is Palm Springs in June, and Phoenix in December–January. Both are at their best in February–April and November.
| Month | Palm Springs | Phoenix | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C (70°F), 4 rainy days · shoulder season | 19°C (66°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Phoenix |
| February | 23°C (73°F), 4 rainy days · best time | 22°C (72°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| March | 27°C (81°F), 2 rainy days · best time | 25°C (77°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| April | 31°C (88°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 30°C (86°F), 2 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| May | 36°C (97°F), 0 rainy days · shoulder season | 35°C (95°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| June | 41°C (106°F), 0 rainy days | 40°C (104°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | Palm Springs |
| July | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | 41°C (106°F), 4 rainy days · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| August | 42°C (108°F), 1 rainy day · best avoided | 41°C (106°F), 5 rainy days · best avoided | Neither: both best avoided |
| September | 39°C (102°F), 1 rainy day | 38°C (100°F), 3 rainy days | No clear pick |
| October | 33°C (91°F), 1 rainy day · shoulder season | 32°C (90°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | Either: shoulder season |
| November | 25°C (77°F), 1 rainy day · best time | 24°C (75°F), 2 rainy days · best time | Both at their best |
| December | 20°C (68°F), 3 rainy days · shoulder season | 19°C (66°F), 4 rainy days · best time | Phoenix |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Palm Springs for…
Mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway. Palm Springs sits on the floor of the Coachella Valley at the foot of the 3,302-metre San Jacinto Mountains, about 175 km east of Los Angeles. Its walkable downtown along Palm Canyon Drive is lined with mid-century modern banks, motels and shops, and the…
Choose Phoenix for…
Sonoran Desert and Camelback Mountain. Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert, ringed by rocky mountain parks such as Camelback, Piestewa Peak and South Mountain, where saguaro cacti grow minutes from downtown. Winters are sunny and warm, which makes the Valley of the Sun a major escape from November…
Top sights compared
| # | Palm Springs | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palm Springs Aerial Tramway | Desert Botanical Garden |
| 2 | Mount San Jacinto State Park | Heard Museum |
| 3 | Indian Canyons | Camelback Mountain |
| 4 | Tahquitz Canyon | Piestewa Peak |
| 5 | Agua Caliente Cultural Museum | South Mountain Park and Preserve |
Food compared
| Palm Springs | Phoenix |
|---|---|
| Date shake | Sonoran hot dog |
| Medjool and Deglet Noor dates | Chimichanga |
| Tacos and Mexican plates | Cheese crisp |
| Tamales | Carne asada tacos |
Which is cheaper?
Phoenix is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about US$200–380 per person there, against US$250–400 in Palm Springs (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Phoenix on a budget.
Palm Springs or Phoenix from the U.S.
Worked out from time zones and airport coordinates: straight-line distances, not flight routes.
| Palm Springs | Phoenix | |
|---|---|---|
| Time vs New York | −3 h | −2 h Jan, −3 h Jul |
| Time vs Los Angeles | Same time | +1 h Jan, Same Jul |
| From New York (JFK) | 2,380 mi (3,820 km) | 2,150 mi (3,460 km) |
| From Los Angeles (LAX) | 107 mi (172 km) | 366 mi (588 km) |
| U.S. plugs | U.S. plugs fit | U.S. plugs fit |
From New York, Phoenix is about 223 miles (360 km) closer than Palm Springs in a straight line. Phoenix is also the smaller time change: 2 hours from New York in January, against 3 for Palm Springs.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Palm Springs and Phoenix are about 416 km (259 mi) apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Palm Springs and 4 in Phoenix.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Palm Springs or Phoenix cheaper?
Phoenix is usually less expensive: about US$200–380 a day mid-range against US$250–400 (estimates).
+Is Palm Springs or Phoenix better for a first trip?
Pick Palm Springs for mid-century modern architecture and aerial tramway, or Phoenix for Sonoran Desert and Camelback Mountain.
+How far is Palm Springs from Phoenix?
About 416 km (259 mi) in a straight line.