A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Martha's Vineyard for Food, Resorts, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Martha's Vineyard, 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 picturesque, charming, and southern coastal town. With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Charleston travel costs.

Martha's Vineyard

Martha's Vineyard is a coastal, peaceful, and affluent island. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.

Charleston and Martha's Vineyard: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charleston. Although Charleston and Martha's Vineyard are popular destinations, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Martha's Vineyard attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and small town charm. Charleston is famous for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Martha's Vineyard is famous for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping.

How is Charleston different from Martha's Vineyard?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Charleston is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its sights and museums.

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.

Martha's Vineyard offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Martha's Vineyard makes for a great culinary experience. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Nightlife?

Charleston is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Charleston has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Music?

Charleston is a good destination for its music scene. However, Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not a live music destination.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Resorts?

Martha's Vineyard is an amazing island to visit for its resorts. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its luxury resorts.

Martha's Vineyard offers an unforgettable resort vacation. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.

Charleston has a handful of resorts to choose from. 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.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Beaches?

Both Charleston and Martha's Vineyard have great beaches worth visiting.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Charleston. 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.

The beaches at Martha's Vineyard attract visitors from all over. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Charleston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. 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.

Martha's Vineyard does not have a historic old town.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Hiking?

Martha's Vineyard is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Martha's Vineyard has hiking trails worth exploring. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.

Charleston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

Charleston is an amazing coastal town to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for shopping.

Many people travel to Charleston specifically to go shopping. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is an extremely popular place for shoppers. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of great scenery and beauty in both Charleston and Martha's Vineyard.

With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.

Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Families?

Charleston and Martha's Vineyard 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly coastal town. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Couples?

Charleston and Martha's Vineyard are both world-class to visit as a couple.

Charleston has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Martha's Vineyard is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Students?

Charleston is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Martha's Vineyard is not popular with students.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Charleston and Martha's Vineyard offer reasonable 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 Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.

Is Charleston or Martha's Vineyard a more walkable city?

Charleston is a great coastal town for its ease of walking around. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its walkability.

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.

Martha's Vineyard is somewhat walkable. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Martha's Vineyard or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charleston and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.

Families should spend more time in Charleston than Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Charleston, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Martha's Vineyard, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

With museums and nightlife around the charming coastal town of Charleston, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Even though Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this island.

Five days in Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

With nightlife and live music around the picturesque destination of Charleston, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Martha's Vineyard, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Martha's Vineyard?

Charleston is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Martha's Vineyard 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 Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that Martha's Vineyard is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Martha's Vineyard would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Martha's Vineyard than you might in Charleston.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Charleston or Martha's Vineyard?

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 Martha's Vineyard in the Summer?

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

Charleston is a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the summer. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. 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 Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun.

Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Martha's Vineyard in the Autumn?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Charleston is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Charleston in October average around 67°F (19°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. Charleston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or Martha's Vineyard in the Winter?

Both Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Martha's Vineyard can be very cold. In January, Charleston is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 47°F (9°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or Martha's Vineyard in the Spring?

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

Charleston is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the spring. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Martha's Vineyard this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Martha's Vineyard and Charleston