Should you visit Charlotte or Raleigh?
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 Raleigh can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
Which city is cheaper, Raleigh or Charlotte?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $153, while the average daily cost in Raleigh is $151. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Charlotte and Raleigh in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $188 in Charlotte For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $83. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Raleigh the cost is $166 on average.
Food
Food in Charlotte costs travelers about $37 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
While meal prices in Raleigh can vary, the average travelers spends about $46 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Raleigh should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Raleigh is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Charlotte $37
Raleigh $46
Typical Food prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
Typical Food prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.
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Raleigh, NC - Walking Food Tours:
$62
Local Transportation
Charlotte's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $27 per person, per day on transportation in Charlotte.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $30 per day to get around in Raleigh.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV:
$141
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car:
$86
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Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$54
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$54
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$106
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car:
$85
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV:
$140
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Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT:
$38
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Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT):
$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
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Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer:
$124
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Raleigh?
Prices for flights to both Raleigh 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Charlotte can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $34 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $30 per person, per day in Raleigh. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
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Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour:
$18
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Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour:
$23
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Charlotte Comedy City Tour:
$30
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Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour:
$35
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Charlotte's Historical City Tour:
$38
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Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour:
$50
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Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte:
$60
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Private and Custom Tours:
$75
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Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour:
$234
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Trolley Pub Public Tour of Raleigh:
$41
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Charlotte, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $16.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Raleigh may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $22 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
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Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte:
$41
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3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour:
$54
Sample the Local Flavors in Raleigh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Raleigh:
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Raleigh Bar Hunt: Rowdy Raleigh Bar Crawl:
$12
When comparing the travel costs between Charlotte and Raleigh, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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