Is there a difference between emotional cheating and physical cheating and if so which one hurts more?

Yes. Obviously, physical cheating is sex and emotional cheating is like watching porn or fantasizing about someone other than you. A person can do both at the same time and both hurt just as bad. There is no way to determine which one hurts worse, it is different for everyone.

Emotional cheating seems to be the one that sticks around and causes future problems. If a spouse goes out and has sex mindlessly with someone after getting drunk, it is something a couple can work through because it wasn't like the spouse did this after months of pursuing the mistress.

I might add that most physical cheating starts with emotional cheating and usuall involves emotional cheating when comitted.