Should you visit Chapel Hill or New Bern?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or New Bern? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
Which city is cheaper, New Bern or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $131, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $112. 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 Chapel Hill and New Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $76. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Chapel Hill the cost is $152 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $61. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in New Bern the cost is $122 on average.
Food
While meal prices in Chapel Hill can vary, the average travelers spends about $39 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Chapel Hill should cost around $16 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Chapel Hill is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
In New Bern travelers spend around $33 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Chapel Hill $39
New Bern $33
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $27 per day to get around in Chapel Hill.
The cost of a taxi ride in New Bern is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in New Bern.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $14 per person, per day in Chapel Hill. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in New Bern typically cost an average of $21 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chapel Hill may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $32 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting New Bern may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $24 per day on alcoholic beverages.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chapel Hill and New Bern, we can see that Chapel Hill is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.
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