Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Asheville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Kailua-Kona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Asheville or Kailua-Kona?
Asheville
Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsheville $133Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $133, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Asheville and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsheville $89Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsheville $178Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Kailua-Kona? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Asheville Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asheville $14Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Asheville change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAsheville $33Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Asheville
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:
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Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee$60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.
- 1-HR cooking class: $40
- Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
- Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asheville $16Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Massage$40
Tours and Activities in Asheville
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown Asheville Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
- River Arts District Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
- Asheville's Famous Ghosts Smart Phone GPS APP Solo Walking Tour: $6.75
- Asheville's Historic Smart Phone Guided App (GPS) Walking Tour: $7.75
- Blue Ridge Parkway South Audio Driving Tour: $7.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Audio Driving Tour: $7.99
- Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Drive Tour w/ Audio Guide: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Driving Audio Tour (Asheville ↔ Roanoke): $12
- Asheville Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Asheville Adventure: $12
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville to Roanoke) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsheville $16Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip the Line: Copper Barrel's Premium Distillery Tour & Tasting: $10
- Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $39
- Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
- Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
- Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $74
- Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
- Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Asheville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asheville or Kailua-Kona?
Asheville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Kailua-Kona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Asheville is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAsheville 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Asheville is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the autumn, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAsheville 64°F (18°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Asheville is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asheville in January average around 44°F (7°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. It's quite rainy in Asheville. In January, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAsheville 44°F (7°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Asheville or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Asheville during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.
In April, Asheville is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAsheville 64°F (18°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Asheville
| Asheville | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.