Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Chapel Hill or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Toronto? 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChapel Hill $164Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $203. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChapel Hill $95Toronto $86
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChapel Hill $190Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chapel Hill $34Toronto $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
-
Airport Shuttle$26
-
Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $157
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Business Car: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto YYZ Airport to Toronto City by SUV or Minibus: $76
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury SUV: $174
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $152
- Convenient bus transfer between Hamilton Airport and Toronto: $3.65
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Car: $152
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Van: $133
- Hamilton to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Niagara Falls Guided 9 Hour Day Trip with Round-trip Transfer: $74
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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
-
Food Meals for one dayChapel Hill $49Toronto $65
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
-
Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $72
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $151
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chapel Hill $17Toronto $31
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
-
CN Tower at night for Two$36
-
Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
-
Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.65
- Downtown City Landmarks Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.28
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $5.12
- Kensington Market: Downtown Toronto Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Toronto's Waterfront: Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.21
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
- Best of Toronto and Waterfront Self-Guided Tour: $8.02
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Uncover Quebec's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayChapel Hill $40Toronto $22
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.01
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Craft Brewery Tour: $75
- From Niagara Wine Tours: $111
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $128
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chapel Hill and Toronto, we can see that Toronto is more expensive. And not only is Chapel Hill much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chapel Hill would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chapel Hill 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto than you might in Chapel Hill.
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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
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 Toronto in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyChapel Hill 79°F (26°C)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Toronto in the Autumn?
Both Toronto and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Chapel Hill is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChapel Hill 61°F (16°C)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Toronto in the Winter?
Both Toronto and Chapel Hill during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Toronto in the winter. The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. Chapel Hill is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in January than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChapel Hill 40°F (5°C)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Toronto in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Toronto.
In the spring, Chapel Hill is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Toronto. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilChapel Hill 60°F (16°C)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Chapel Hill
| Chapel Hill | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.