Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Charlotte?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charlotte or Fairfield?
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 Fairfield can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Charlotte or Fairfield?
Charlotte
With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharlotte $191Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $191, 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 Charlotte and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharlotte $118Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharlotte $236Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Charlotte 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: Charlotte Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charlotte $33Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte Round Trip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Sedan: $150
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Arrival Transfer: Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte in Business Car: $132
- Departure Transfer: Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT in Business Car: $132
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $67
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Charlotte 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 dayCharlotte $46Fairfield $30
Typical Food Prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
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Pizza at Airport$4.03
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)$29
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.Charlotte $43Fairfield $13
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
- 2.5 Hour Black History Van Tour-Perseverance, Power, and Progress: $59
- 90 Minute Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte: $75
- Big Bite Brew Tour in Charlotte's LoSo District: $150
- Carolina History and Haunts Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour : $27
- Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour - Smartphone guided audio/gps Tour at your own pace: $6.75
- Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour: $6.50
- Charlotte Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour: $35
- Charlotte Historic : Queen Bee City Tour: $39
- Charlotte Historical City Tour: $45
- Charlotte Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $90
- Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Charlotte's Only Southern Charm Haunted/True Crime Golf Cart Tour: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharlotte $20Fairfield -
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
- Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Brewery Crawl on 7 passenger Cart: $48
- Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience : $125
- Bar Crawl on a Rollin Disco Ball Golf Cart in Charlotte: $240
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 Charlotte and Fairfield, we can see that Charlotte 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 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 Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlotte Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charlotte or Fairfield?
Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Charlotte 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 Charlotte or Fairfield?
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 Charlotte or Fairfield in the Summer?
Both Fairfield and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Charlotte is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlotte in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. Charlotte usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Charlotte gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Charlotte. In July, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharlotte 81°F (27°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Charlotte or Fairfield in the Autumn?
Both Fairfield and Charlotte during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlotte in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlotte. In the autumn, Charlotte often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.
Charlotte usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharlotte 63°F (17°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Charlotte or Fairfield in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Charlotte is cooler than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlotte averages around 42°F (6°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
Charlotte usually receives more sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Charlotte gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharlotte 42°F (6°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Charlotte or Fairfield in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Fairfield. The spring months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Charlotte is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlotte in April average around 63°F (17°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In the spring, Charlotte often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.
Charlotte usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharlotte 63°F (17°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Charlotte
| Charlotte | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.