Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charleston or Fairfield?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Fairfield, 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.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Fairfield?
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $170Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Charleston and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Fairfield? 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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $206
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $206
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $173
- Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $117
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Charleston 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 dayCharleston $58Fairfield $30
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $107
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Fairfield $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Morris Island and River Cruise: $255
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $56
- An Amazing Guided Ghost Tour: $30
- Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
- Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78
- Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket: $28
- Bruce Knows Charleston Walking Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Fairfield -
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Women and Wine Tour: $18
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
- Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Fairfield, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Fairfield?
Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Fairfield, 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 Fairfield?
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 Fairfield in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Fairfield. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In the summer, Charleston is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In the summer, Charleston often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.
Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharleston 82°F (28°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Fairfield in the Autumn?
Both Fairfield and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Charleston usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharleston 67°F (19°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Fairfield in the Winter?
Both Fairfield and Charleston during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charleston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Charleston is a little warmer than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Fairfield. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharleston 47°F (9°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Fairfield in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Charleston is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Charleston usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharleston 64°F (18°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Charleston
| Charleston | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
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.