Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chapel Hill or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Halifax? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chapel Hill or Halifax?
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChapel Hill $164Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Chapel Hill and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChapel Hill $95Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChapel Hill $190Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Halifax? 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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chapel Hill $34Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Chapel Hill 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 dayChapel Hill $49Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chapel Hill $17Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill
Here are a few actual costs in Chapel Hill for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
- Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $20
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour: $16
- Chapel Hill, NC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
- Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
- Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Burgers, Brews, and History too: $107
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Small-Group Tour with Citadel and Peggy's Cove: $94
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChapel Hill $40Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chapel Hill:
- Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chapel Hill and Halifax, we can see that Chapel Hill is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Chapel Hill would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chapel Hill than you might in Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Halifax, 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 Chapel Hill or Halifax?
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 Chapel Hill or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Halifax. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChapel Hill 79°F (26°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Halifax in the Autumn?
Both Halifax and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. In October, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChapel Hill 61°F (16°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. Chapel Hill is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in January than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChapel Hill 40°F (5°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Halifax in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Halifax.
It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In the spring, Chapel Hill is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun in the spring.
Halifax receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Halifax. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChapel Hill 60°F (16°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Chapel Hill
| Chapel Hill | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
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.