Which place is cheaper, Asheville or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Big Pine Key or Asheville?
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 Big Pine Key and Asheville. 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: Big Pine Key or Asheville?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Asheville $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Asheville is $133. 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 Big Pine Key and Asheville in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Asheville $89
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Asheville $178
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Asheville
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Asheville? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Asheville $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Asheville?
Prices for flights to both Asheville and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Asheville $33
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.
- Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
- Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Asheville $16
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:
- (3 HR) Guided Scenic UTV Adventure: $175
- (4 HR) UTV ECO Elk Wilderness Adventure : $275
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Asheville: $65
- 2.5-Hour Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $109
- 3 HR Smoky Mountain, Cherokee, Blue Ridge Parkway, Jeep Adventure: $100
- A Taste of West Asheville Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Amazing Asheville Amazing Race & Tour: $24
- An afternoon with the artist, private art gallery tour: $60
- Asheville Coffee Tours: $67
- 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: $9.99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Asheville $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $28
- Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
- Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
- Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $74
- "Beer Flight" Drag Queen Bar Crawl Tour: $77
- Floating Bar Crawl Tour: $78
- Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
- Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Asheville, we can see that Big Pine Key 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Asheville?
Asheville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Asheville, 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 Big Pine Key or Asheville?
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 Big Pine Key or Asheville in the Summer?
Both Asheville and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Asheville in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun.
Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Asheville 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Asheville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Asheville. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Asheville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Asheville 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Asheville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Asheville. Also, many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Asheville. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Asheville 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Asheville in the Spring?
Both Asheville and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.
Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Asheville in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Asheville. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Asheville 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Asheville and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Asheville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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.