A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Roanoke for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Asheville or Roanoke?

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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke?

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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Which place is cheaper, Roanoke or Asheville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $133, while the average daily cost in Roanoke is $164. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Asheville $89
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Asheville $178
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Roanoke? 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.

Hotels in Asheville


Hotels in Roanoke


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 Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Asheville $14
    Roanoke $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Asheville $33
    Roanoke $48
Typical Food prices in Asheville

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:


  • 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.

  • 3-Hour Hands on Cooking Class: $120
  • Guided Craft Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Asheville $16
    Roanoke $35
Typical Entertainment prices in Asheville

Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Massage
    $40

Tours and Activities in Asheville

Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Asheville: $65
  • 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $99
  • 4-Hour Local Craft Breweries Tour in Asheville on a Canoe : $65
  • A Taste of West Asheville Tip-Based Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Amazing Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Asheville Coffee Tours: $65
  • Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
  • Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views: $75
  • Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.99
  • Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $30
  • Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour : $30
  • Asheville Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Asheville Adventure: $12

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Asheville $16
    Roanoke $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville

Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $28
  • Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Asheville Terror Boos and Brews Ultimate Guided 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: $67
  • 3-Hour Guided Walking Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
  • Floating Bar Crawl Tour: $72
  • "Beer Flight" Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour + VIP After Party Seating: $77
  • Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $79
  • 3 Hour Brewery Bus Guided Tour in Asheville: $89
  • Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke 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 Roanoke would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roanoke than you might in Asheville.

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Roanoke?

Roanoke is bigger, and its population is about 33% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the population of Asheville vs. Roanoke, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Asheville or Roanoke?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Summer?

Both Roanoke and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Roanoke averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun.

Roanoke gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Roanoke. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Asheville 82°F (28°C) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Roanoke. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally a little warmer than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Roanoke. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Roanoke can be very cold during winter. Asheville is much warmer than Roanoke in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets more rain in January than Roanoke. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Asheville 44°F (7°C) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Asheville or Roanoke in the Spring?

Both Roanoke and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is a little warmer than Roanoke. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Roanoke averages at about 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Roanoke. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Roanoke. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Asheville 64°F (18°C) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Asheville

Asheville Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 47°F (8°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 71°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 79°F (26°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 55°F (13°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 47°F (8°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 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.
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Asheville vs. Roanoke Travel Comparison

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