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Los Angeles or Miami? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Los Angeles for variety: beaches, mountains, film history, museums like the Getty and one of America's best food scenes, but only if you are happy to drive a lot. Pick Miami for a beach-and-nightlife holiday with Art Deco, Cuban food and warm winters, in a more compact area; it is also cheaper on our numbers. They sit on opposite coasts, so combining them only makes sense on a longer trip with a flight.
Los Angeles: suits couples, friends and first-timers who want beaches, hikes, film sites and world-class food, and are comfortable driving.
Miami: suits couples, friends and solo travellers who want warm winter beaches, nightlife, Art Deco streets and Latin American food.
Side by side
| Los Angeles | Miami | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €324 US$365 local | €307 US$345 local |
| Budget day* | €156 | €142 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●Mid-range about US$365 (€322) per day | ●●●●●Mid-range about US$345 (€304) per day |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Busy at Hollywood and Santa Monica, but spread across a vast area | ●●●●●South Beach is packed in winter and spring-break season |
| Food | ●●●●●Superb tacos, Korean barbecue and global cooking | ●●●●●Excellent Cuban and Latin American food, stone crab and ceviche |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Strong bar and music scene, but spread out and car-dependent | ●●●●●South Beach and Wynwood clubs run very late |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Theme parks, beaches, museums and easy hikes | ●●●●●Beaches and Everglades, but nightlife dominates the scene |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Huge distances and heavy traffic; a car is essential | ●●●●●Compact beach area, but a car helps for the rest |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Oct, Nov, Dec | year-round, see below |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 31°C / Jan 19°C | Jul 31°C / Jan 24°C |
| Known for | Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Pier, Getty Center, Hollywood Sign | Art Deco South Beach, Wynwood murals, Cuban food, Everglades wildlife |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Los Angeles and Miami day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Los Angeles if…
- you want beaches and mountain hikes in one trip
- you love food and want the widest choice
- you want film studios, the Getty and Griffith Observatory
- you are travelling with children who want theme parks
Pick Miami if…
- you want warm beaches in winter
- Nightlife is a priority
- you want Art Deco architecture and Cuban culture
- you plan the Everglades or a drive to the Florida Keys
Weather month by month
| Month | Los Angeles high / rainy days | Miami high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19°C · 7 | 24°C · 10 |
| Feb | 21°C · 3 | 26°C · 12 |
| Mar | 21°C · 8 | 27°C · 11 |
| Apr | 24°C · 2 | 28°C · 17 |
| May | 24°C · 2 | 29°C · 18 |
| Jun | 28°C · 2 | 30°C · 25 |
| Jul | 31°C · 1 | 31°C · 23 |
| Aug | 31°C · 1 | 31°C · 25 |
| Sep | 30°C · 2 | 30°C · 25 |
| Oct | 27°C · 1 | 29°C · 19 |
| Nov | 24°C · 3 | 27°C · 12 |
| Dec | 19°C · 9 | 25°C · 12 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Los Angeles
Tacos al pastor and carne asada · Birria tacos · Korean barbecue · French dip sandwich · Pastrami on rye · Thai boat noodles and street dishes
Where: Grand Central Market (Downtown), Koreatown, Boyle Heights and East LA, Original Farmers Market (Fairfax)
Miami
Cuban coffee · Cuban sandwich · Pastelitos and croquetas · Frita · Stone crab claws · Ceviche
Where: Little Havana and Calle Ocho, Wynwood, Doral, Little Haiti
Doing both in one trip
12 days: 7 in Los Angeles + 5 in Miami
The cities are on opposite coasts, so this only makes sense on a longer trip. Start with whichever your international flight reaches, and end in Miami if you want to finish with beach days.
Getting between them: Fly: nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Miami take about 5 h, a little longer heading west. Driving takes several days and only suits a road trip. Distance about 3,758 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–3: Los Angeles — Santa Monica and Venice, Getty Center, Griffith Observatory
- Day 4–6: Hollywood, Downtown and Grand Central Market, Koreatown, a Malibu or Disneyland day
- Day 7: Fly to Miami
- Day 8–12: South Beach and Art Deco district, Little Havana, Wynwood, Everglades day trip
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Common questions
Is Los Angeles or Miami cheaper?
Miami is cheaper on our numbers: about US$345 (€304) per person per day at mid-range against about US$365 (€322) in Los Angeles. Both are expensive by US standards. In Los Angeles a rental car and parking add a lot; in Miami, South Beach hotels and clubs push up costs, especially from December to April when demand peaks.
Can I combine Los Angeles and Miami in one trip?
Yes, but only on a longer trip. They sit on opposite coasts, nearly 3,800 km apart, so you will need a flight of about five hours nonstop plus airport time. With fewer than ten days, pick one. With two weeks, spend about a week in Los Angeles and five days in Miami, flying between them.
Do I need a car in Los Angeles or Miami?
In Los Angeles, yes, for most visitors: the city is enormous, sights are far apart and public transport is limited. In Miami you can manage South Beach on foot and use rideshare for Little Havana and Wynwood, but a car helps for the Everglades and the Keys. Budget for parking, which is expensive in both cities.
When is the best time to visit Los Angeles and Miami?
Los Angeles is pleasant for most of the year, with spring and autumn best and summer sometimes hazy by the coast. Miami is best from about December to April, when it is warm and drier; summer is hot, humid and stormy, and hurricane season runs from June to November. For both, late winter or spring works well.