Compare Uber and Lyft Prices
See Uber, Lyft and taxi fares side by side for your route. Free, no sign-up.
How to Compare Uber and Lyft Prices
Enter your pickup and drop-off locations above to see fare estimates from Uber, Lyft, and local taxi services side by side. The estimates come from each provider's published rates, so open the app to confirm the live price before you book. RideWise compares UberX, Uber Comfort, UberXL, Uber Black, Lyft, Lyft XL, Lyft Lux, and metered taxis so you can find the cheapest ride for any route. Price differences of $5 to $15 on the same trip are common during peak hours.
Uber vs Lyft Price Comparison by City
Here is how UberX and a standard Lyft compare on the same trip in 26 US metro areas, using RideWise regional rate cards. For the 10-mile, 25-minute trip modeled here, the largest estimated price difference is $2.20 across these metro areas. These are no-surge estimates before tolls, airport fees and tip, not live app quotes. Actual app prices can differ substantially; compare your own route above, then confirm the price in both apps before booking.
| City | UberX, 5 mi | Lyft, 5 mi | UberX, 10 mi | Lyft, 10 mi | Difference, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $19.30 | $18.65 | $31.55 | $30.40 | $1.15 |
| San Francisco | $16.90 | $16.20 | $27.65 | $26.50 | $1.15 |
| Boston | $16.30 | $15.70 | $26.70 | $25.65 | $1.05 |
| Washington, DC | $15.65 | $15.05 | $25.70 | $24.65 | $1.05 |
| San Diego | $16.00 | $14.90 | $25.50 | $23.30 | $2.20 |
| Seattle | $15.15 | $14.55 | $24.85 | $23.80 | $1.05 |
| Chicago | $14.95 | $14.35 | $24.50 | $23.45 | $1.05 |
| Philadelphia | $14.85 | $14.23 | $24.35 | $23.23 | $1.12 |
| Los Angeles | $14.60 | $13.95 | $23.95 | $22.85 | $1.10 |
| Portland | $14.05 | $13.47 | $23.05 | $22.02 | $1.03 |
| Las Vegas | $13.95 | $13.33 | $22.85 | $21.73 | $1.12 |
| Austin | $13.30 | $12.78 | $21.80 | $20.88 | $0.92 |
| Charlotte | $12.94 | $12.44 | $21.24 | $20.29 | $0.95 |
| Miami | $13.00 | $12.40 | $21.20 | $20.15 | $1.05 |
| Minneapolis | $12.95 | $12.33 | $21.15 | $20.03 | $1.12 |
| Denver | $12.65 | $12.05 | $20.60 | $19.55 | $1.05 |
| Nashville | $12.57 | $12.00 | $20.52 | $19.50 | $1.02 |
| Columbus | $12.90 | $12.80 | $20.50 | $20.80 | $0.30 |
| Houston | $12.30 | $11.67 | $20.20 | $19.07 | $1.13 |
| Atlanta | $12.30 | $11.77 | $20.00 | $19.07 | $0.93 |
| New Orleans | $12.11 | $11.52 | $19.71 | $18.67 | $1.04 |
| Dallas–Fort Worth | $11.95 | $11.35 | $19.45 | $18.40 | $1.05 |
| Orlando | $11.93 | $11.35 | $19.43 | $18.40 | $1.03 |
| Phoenix | $11.80 | $11.28 | $19.20 | $18.28 | $0.92 |
| Indianapolis | $11.62 | $11.31 | $18.92 | $18.26 | $0.66 |
| San Antonio | $11.20 | $10.78 | $18.25 | $17.48 | $0.77 |
Source: RideWise regional rate cards (CSV), last verified June 2026, as documented in our methodology. The 5-mile trip assumes 15 minutes; the 10-mile trip assumes 25 minutes. Prices show the midpoint of each estimate range.
Only need one app? Get an Uber price estimate or a Lyft price estimate without logging in. For the full picture, read is Uber or Lyft cheaper?
What Affects Rideshare Prices
Rideshare fares are calculated using a combination of base fare, cost per mile, cost per minute, and a booking fee. During high-demand periods, surge pricing (also called dynamic pricing) can multiply the total fare by 1.5x to 3x or more. Factors that influence pricing include time of day, day of week, weather conditions, local events, and driver availability in your area. Learn more about how Uber and Lyft calculate fares.
Tips for Getting the Cheapest Ride
- Avoid peak hours — Prices surge 1.5–2x during morning (7–9am) and evening (5–7pm) rush hours.
- Compare before booking — Uber and Lyft prices can differ by 20–40% on the same route at the same time.
- Walk to a better pickup — Moving a block or two from busy areas can reduce surge pricing.
- Check for promos — Both Uber and Lyft frequently offer discounts for new users and first rides.
- Consider subscriptions — Uber One and Lyft Pink can save frequent riders 5–15% per ride.
- Airport savings — Check our airport rideshare guide for strategies to cut airport transfer costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I compare Uber and Lyft prices?
Enter your pickup and drop-off locations in the search bar above and RideWise will instantly show side-by-side fare estimates for UberX, Uber Comfort, UberXL, Uber Black, Lyft, Lyft XL, Lyft Lux, and local taxis. The comparison is free, no sign-up needed, and is computed from each provider's published rate card for major US cities.
Is Uber or Lyft cheaper for the same route?
Neither app is always cheaper. The table above compares UberX and standard Lyft estimates for the same distance and driving time using RideWise regional rate cards, without surge. These modeled fares are not live app quotes: demand, traffic, fees, and promotions can change which app costs less for your trip. Compare your route above, then check both apps before booking.
Does RideWise show real-time surge pricing?
RideWise shows base-rate estimates from published Uber and Lyft rate cards plus typical surge multipliers by time of day. For real-time surge pricing, open both apps after the RideWise comparison to confirm the live fare — surge multipliers can change within seconds of a ride request.
How accurate are the RideWise fare estimates?
RideWise estimates are typically within 5-10% of actual Uber/Lyft upfront prices on a non-surged route. We apply each provider's published fare formula (base + per-mile + per-minute + booking fee) to your specific route using OpenStreetMap routing. Surge multipliers, mid-trip route deviations, and provider-side promotions can move actual fares outside the estimate range.
Why do Uber and Lyft prices differ so much?
Even on the same route, Uber and Lyft set per-mile rates, per-minute rates, booking fees, and surge thresholds independently in each city. Differences in driver supply, regulatory pass-through costs (NYC TLC, CA AB 1340, MA earnings floor), and platform commission structures produce the $1-$15 price gaps you see on identical routes. Comparing both apps before every ride saves the average rider $200-$500 per year (RideWise analysis, 2026).
Can I book a ride directly from RideWise?
No — RideWise is a comparison tool, not a booking platform. After you compare prices, you tap through to the Uber or Lyft app to complete the booking. We do not store payment information and we earn no commission on rides. RideWise is monetized through display advertising and clearly disclosed travel-tool affiliate partnerships.