Should you visit Charlotte or Reno?
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 Reno 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.
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
Which city is cheaper, Reno 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 Reno is $113. 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 Reno 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.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $86 in Reno For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
The price of a meal in Reno can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $42 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $17 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Charlotte $37
Reno $42
Typical Food prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
Typical Food prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast
$22
-
Sushi DInner (for 2)
$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
$19
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.
Reno'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 $18 per person, per day on transportation in Reno.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT):
$38
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Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT:
$38
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV:
$140
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Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car:
$85
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$106
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Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$54
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Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer:
$54
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car:
$86
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Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV:
$141
Typical Local Transportation prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$336
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer:
$168
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Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$168
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Reno/Tahoe International Airport One Way Transfer:
$48
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlotte or Reno?
Prices for flights to both Reno 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.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Reno can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $70 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
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Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour:
$50
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Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour:
$18
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Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour:
$35
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Charlotte Comedy City Tour:
$30
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Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour:
$23
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Charlotte's Historical City Tour:
$38
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Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour:
$234
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Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte:
$60
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Private and Custom Tours:
$75
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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ATV & Snow Mobile Winter Adventures from Reno:
$290
-
ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno:
$394
-
Biking Adventure Tour from Reno:
$102
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Culinary & Cultural Reno Tour:
$91
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Hot Air Balloon & Snowmobile Adventure:
$616
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Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure:
$12
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Truckee River Rafting Tour from Reno:
$132
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Winter Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno:
$206
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.
Typically, people visiting Reno spend on average $10 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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
-
Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte:
$41
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3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour:
$54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charlotte and Reno, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Reno.
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