Which city is cheaper, Winston-Salem or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Chapel Hill vs. Winston-Salem for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem?
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.
Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChapel Hill $164Winston-Salem $150
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, while the average daily cost in Winston-Salem is $150. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChapel Hill $95Winston-Salem $91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChapel Hill $190Winston-Salem $182
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem
Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem? 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 Winston-Salem Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chapel Hill $34Winston-Salem $23
Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem?
Prices for flights to both Winston-Salem 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 $49Winston-Salem $42
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chapel Hill $17Winston-Salem $20
Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:
- Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChapel Hill $40Winston-Salem $24
When comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem, we can see that Chapel Hill 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.
When is the best time to visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem.
Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the summer. The temperature in Chapel Hill is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Winston-Salem stays around 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during summer. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
Winston-Salem receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChapel Hill 79°F (26°C)Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Winston-Salem.
In the autumn, Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chapel Hill in October are around 61°F (16°C), and Winston-Salem is about 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the autumn, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 212 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChapel Hill 61°F (16°C)Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem in the Winter?
Both Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Winston-Salem can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Chapel Hill. In January, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Winston-Salem. Temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 40°F (5°C), and Winston-Salem stays around 40°F (4°C).
Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem during winter. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Winston-Salem receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of rain as Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChapel Hill 40°F (5°C)Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Winston-Salem in the Spring?
Both Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit.
Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Winston-Salem in the spring. The temperature in Chapel Hill is usually 60°F (16°C) in April, and Winston-Salem stays around 61°F (16°C).
In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the spring, Chapel Hill often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Winston-Salem receives 248 hours of full sun.
Chapel Hill usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Winston-Salem. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Winston-Salem receives 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChapel Hill 60°F (16°C)Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill
| Chapel Hill | Winston-Salem | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
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