A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Chattanooga for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Charleston or Chattanooga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Chattanooga, 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 quaint, historic, and classic coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Charleston and Chattanooga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Chattanooga?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Charleston than Chattanooga. While Chattanooga is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its food, music, resorts, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Chattanooga attracts visitors for its hiking. Charleston is more touristy than Chattanooga and is known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Charleston different from Chattanooga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga?

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

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.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

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

Charleston is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Charleston and Chattanooga.

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 Chattanooga. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Music?

Charleston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Charleston has a few great resort options. 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.

Chattanooga is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Beaches?

Charleston is a great destination for the beach. However, Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Charleston is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Chattanooga is not a beach destination.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Charleston offers plenty to see. 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.

Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Chattanooga is a popular spot for hiking. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Chattanooga?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Christmas?

Charleston is a great destination for its Christmas activities. However, Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Charleston. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Chattanooga does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Christmas Markets?

Charleston is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Chattanooga does not offer Christmas markets.

Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Chattanooga does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Families?

Charleston and Chattanooga are both nice 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.

Chattanooga is a family-friendly coastal town. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Couples?

Charleston is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Charleston or Chattanooga Better for Students?

Charleston is a popular place for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Charleston is popular with students. 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.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

Chattanooga is notable for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Chattanooga offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

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

Is Charleston or Chattanooga a more walkable city?

Charleston and Chattanooga both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Chattanooga is very walkable. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Chattanooga or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Chattanooga?

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

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga. 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming coastal town of Charleston. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the bustling city of Chattanooga, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Charleston or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the picturesque destination of Charleston. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This coastal town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Chattanooga, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Charleston or Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the picturesque coastal town of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Chattanooga, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Chattanooga?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal town.

Chattanooga 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 New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.

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

Which is Bigger, Charleston or Chattanooga?

Chattanooga has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

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 Charleston or Chattanooga in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Chattanooga. Many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during summer. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Chattanooga. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Charleston or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Chattanooga. Most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Charleston is a little warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Chattanooga averages at about 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In the autumn, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Chattanooga. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Chattanooga in the Winter?

Both Chattanooga and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In January, Charleston is generally much warmer than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In January, Charleston usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Charleston or Chattanooga in the Spring?

Both Chattanooga and Charleston during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the spring, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Charleston usually gets less rain in April than Chattanooga. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Charleston