Should you visit Atlanta or Charlotte?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Charlotte, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
Charlotte
With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.
Which city is cheaper, Charlotte or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $137, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $153. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Atlanta and Charlotte in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Atlanta can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $72, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $144.
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $188 in Charlotte For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Atlanta costs travelers about $33 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
Food in Charlotte costs travelers about $37 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Atlanta $33
Charlotte $37
Typical Food prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
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Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
$15
-
Lunch
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour:
$75
-
Grant Park Past & Future Food Tour:
$75
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2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta:
$75
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Atlanta's Southern Food Tour:
$86
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Modern Southern Food Tour of Historic Inman Park:
$99
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta:
$116
-
Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option:
$249
Typical Food prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
Local Transportation
Atlanta's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $34 per person, per day on transportation in Atlanta.
Charlotte's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $27 per person, per day on transportation in Charlotte.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket
$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Atlanta to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL) to Atlanta:
$622
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Atlanta Airport - Camp Cove Crest:
$433
-
Departure Private Transfer Atlanta City to Hartsfield Airport ATL by Minibus:
$225
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive SUV:
$194
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury Car:
$183
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury Car:
$174
-
Private Atlanta Airport Roundtrip Transfer by Van:
$165
-
Private Roundtrip Transfer: Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Hotel by Executive Sedan:
$145
-
Atlanta Roundtrip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$145
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown:
$133
-
Individual transfer from Atlanta ATL airport to Atlanta:
$124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV:
$141
-
Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV:
$140
-
Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$106
-
Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car:
$86
-
Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car:
$85
-
Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$54
-
Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$54
-
Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT):
$38
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT:
$38
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Atlanta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Charlotte can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $34 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
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3 Hour Hollywood of the South Private Atlanta Film Locations Tour:
$136
-
3 Hour Private Gone With the Wind Tour of Margaret Mitchell's Atlanta:
$136
-
6-Day Charleston+North Carolina+Tennessee Tour (Atlanta departure)(G6):
$888
-
A City in a Forest: Private Atlanta Nature Tour:
$136
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Art on the Streets: Private Atlanta Public and Street Art Tour:
$136
-
Atlanta 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus:
$70
-
Atlanta Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$27
-
Atlanta Beltline Small Group Walking Tour:
$38
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Atlanta Black History and Civil Rights Tour:
$67
-
Atlanta Brew Bus Tour:
$71
-
Atlanta City Private Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Bus:
$700
-
Atlanta City Tour by Convertible:
$77
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
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Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour:
$50
-
Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour:
$18
-
Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour:
$35
-
Charlotte Comedy City Tour:
$30
-
Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour:
$23
-
Charlotte's Historical City Tour:
$38
-
Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour:
$234
-
Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte:
$60
-
Private and Custom Tours:
$75
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Atlanta, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Charlotte, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $16.
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
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Atlanta Bar Hunt: All About Atlanta Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Krog Street Market Pub Crawl:
$36
-
Atlanta Brewery Guided Tours:
$65
-
Three Vineyard Classic Wine Tasting Tour:
$165
-
Explore Rabun County - Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour:
$170
-
Georgia Horseback Ride with Wine Tasting:
$204
-
Private Wine Tasting Tour of Three Vineyards:
$210
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
-
Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte:
$41
-
3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour:
$54
When comparing the travel costs between Atlanta and Charlotte, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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