A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. New York City for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Music

Should you visit Charleston or New York City?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or New York City, 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 historic, classic, and picturesque coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

New York City

New York City is a cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.

Charleston and New York City: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charleston or New York City?

You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Charleston. New York City is bigger than Charleston, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Charleston is more popular for its resorts, beaches, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. New York City is more touristy than Charleston and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Charleston is well known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses.

How is Charleston different from New York City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City 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 New York City?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put New York City on the map. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. 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.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Theater?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Charleston is not a theatre destination.

Famous for its theaters and plays, you'll find world-renowned shows in New York City. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

Charleston is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Charleston or New York City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Charleston and New York City can be difficult as they are each world-class in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Charleston is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Many restaurants in New York City have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Nightlife?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.

New York City has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Music?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for live music.

In New York City you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

You'll find some good live music in Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Resorts?

Charleston is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, New York City is not a resort destination.

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.

New York City is not a resort destination.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Beaches?

Charleston is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, New York City 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.

New York City is not a beach destination.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for its Old Town?

Charleston is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. However, New York City does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Charleston can be explored in its historical center. 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.

New York City does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Charleston or New York City?

Both Charleston and New York City are world-class shopping destinations.

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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Christmas?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its Christmas activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences.

New York City is a fantastic destination at Christmas. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

Since it has plenty to do, Charleston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is notable for its Christmas markets. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for visiting Christmas markets.

The Christmas markets in New York City offer plenty to see during the holidays. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

Charleston is a nice place to see Christmas markets. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Families?

New York City is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

Charleston is a family-friendly coastal town. 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.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Couples?

Charleston and New York City 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.

New York City is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is notable for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers.

New York City is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.

Is Charleston or New York City Better for Students?

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

New York City is a great destination for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

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 New York City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in New York City is top-notch. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

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 New York City a more walkable city?

New York City is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around New York City on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Charleston Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in New York City or Charleston?

How long in Charleston or New York City?

Both Charleston and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Charleston. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Charleston, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Charleston 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 New York City.

One day in Charleston or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the classic destination of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 New York City?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charleston. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Charleston or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the charming destination of Charleston. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

New York City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Charleston or New York City?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal town of Charleston. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

New York City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Charleston or New York City?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and New York City, 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 New York City?

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 New York City in the Summer?

Both New York City and Charleston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Charleston is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than New York City. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or New York City in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and New York City. 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 New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Charleston is generally a little warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In October, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as New York City. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charleston or New York City in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charleston as well as New York City. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in New York City can be very cold. Charleston is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

Charleston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charleston or New York City in the Spring?

Both New York City and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.

In the spring, Charleston is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).

In April, Charleston usually receives less rain than New York City. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New York City and Charleston