A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Charlottesville for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Charleston or Charlottesville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Charlottesville, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Charleston

Charleston is a southern, quaint, and historic coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a traditional, young, and collegiate university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and hiking.

Charleston and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Charleston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Charleston is more popular for its food, music, resorts, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and impressive beauty, while Charlottesville is known for its hiking and small town charm. Charleston is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also home to The Waterfront Park. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charleston different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlottesville and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charleston or Charlottesville?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Charleston or Charlottesville.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charleston. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.

Charlottesville is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charleston is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Charleston, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Charleston and Charlottesville.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Music?

Charleston is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Charleston makes a nice vacation spot. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Charleston is a great coastal town for the beache. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Charleston for it's beautiful beaches. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is terrific for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

Charleston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Charlottesville?

Charleston is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Known for shopping, Charleston draws large crowds to its stores. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Christmas?

Both Charleston and Charlottesville are great destinations to visit around Christmas.

Charleston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Since it has plenty to do, Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. From Christmas lights on campus to a festive atmosphere at the Monticello, the town is beautiful for Christmas.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Christmas Markets?

Charleston is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Charlottesville does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Charlottesville does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Charleston and Charlottesville are both good destinations for the whole family.

Charleston is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly coastal town. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Charleston is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Charleston is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.

Charlottesville is a good coastal town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Charlottesville is a great destination for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Charleston and Charlottesville offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Charleston or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Charleston is a great coastal town for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Charleston is a very walkable coastal town. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charleston and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in Charlottesville. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Charlottesville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Charlottesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Charlottesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Charleston.

One day in Charleston or Charlottesville?

The classic destination of Charleston offers live music and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Charlottesville?

The quaint coastal town of Charleston offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this university town.

Five days in Charleston or Charlottesville?

Charleston is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville, a popular university town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or Charlottesville?

The quaint coastal town of Charleston offers museums and nightlife. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Charleston and Charlottesville, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston Expensive? and Is Charlottesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Charlottesville?

Charleston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Charlottesville, 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 Charleston or Charlottesville?

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 Charleston or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charleston is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In the summer, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Charlottesville. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Charleston is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 67°F (19°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Charleston during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In the winter, Charleston is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charleston in January average around 47°F (9°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Charlottesville. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Charlottesville. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In April, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 64°F (18°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Charleston