A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Columbia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Charlotte or Columbia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Charlotte

Charlotte is a growing, evolving, and up-and-coming city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Charlotte and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlotte or Columbia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Charlotte than Columbia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Charlotte is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. It is also home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Charlotte different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlotte or Columbia?

You'll find a number of good museums and attractions in both Columbia and Charlotte.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlotte. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Columbia is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Charlotte or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Charlotte is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Charlotte. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Charlotte or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Charlotte and Columbia.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlotte has a few options to choose from. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlotte or Columbia?

If you're looking to go shopping, Charlotte and Columbia both offer plenty of good spots.

Charlotte has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.

Columbia is a great destination for shopping. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Charlotte or Columbia Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Charlotte or Columbia.

Charlotte offers lots of family activities. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Charlotte or Columbia Better for Couples?

Charlotte is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Charlotte makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Charlotte or Columbia Better for Students?

For students, both Charlotte and Columbia are good places to visit.

It's common for students to visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Columbia is a good city to visit for students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Is Charlotte or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Charlotte is a popular place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Charlotte has a few public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Charlotte or Columbia a more walkable city?

Charlotte is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Charlotte is a somewhat walkable place. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlotte Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Charlotte?

How long in Charlotte or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Charlotte or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Charlotte than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlotte, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charlotte than Columbia 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 Charlotte.

One day in Charlotte or Columbia?

The city of Charlotte offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Columbia. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Charlotte or Columbia?

Charlotte is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlotte, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the suburban destination of Columbia. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Charlotte or Columbia?

Charlotte is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Columbia. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Charlotte or Columbia?

Charlotte is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Columbia is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Columbia?

Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte and Columbia, 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 Charlotte or Columbia?

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 Charlotte or Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Charlotte during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 81°F (27°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the summer, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Columbia. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Columbia. The autumn months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

Charlotte is around the same temperature as Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during autumn. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Columbia. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlotte or Columbia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Columbia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Charlotte is cooler than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlotte in January average around 42°F (6°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Charlotte often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Columbia. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlotte or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city.

In April, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during spring. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Columbia. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Charlotte