Which place is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Chattanooga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chattanooga vs. Virginia Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Chattanooga or Virginia Beach?
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChattanooga $182Virginia Beach $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $182, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $126. 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 Chattanooga and Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChattanooga $92Virginia Beach $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChattanooga $184Virginia Beach $142
Compare Hotels in Chattanooga and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Chattanooga or Virginia Beach? 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: Chattanooga Hotel Prices and Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chattanooga $35Virginia Beach $39
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)$16
Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach and Chattanooga 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 dayChattanooga $59Virginia Beach $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
- MLK Walking Art History & Food Tour: $65
- ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $94
- Historic Southside Food Tour in Chattanooga: $99
- Downtown Chattanooga Food Tour: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chattanooga $52Virginia Beach $21
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Virtual Reality Simulator Bundle for Outdoor Experiences: $27
- 2-Hour Paddleboard Adventure to Nickajack Bat Cave: $75
- ChattaBOOga Ghost Walk Tour in Chattanooga: $25
- Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $34
- Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $34
- Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour: $23
- Chattanooga's North Shore & Coolidge Park Guided Segway Tour: $75
- A Spooky and Family-Friendly Walking Tour: $25
- Adults-Only Haunted City Walking Tour: $35
Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $8.00
- Neptune Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Neptune Ghosts: Ghosts of the Coast By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Wetland Zip Tour: $50
- Ziplining and Climbing at The Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium: $59
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $68
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $68
- Dolphin Kayak Tour in Virginia Beach: $75
- Virginia Historic Adventure!: $200
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChattanooga $24Virginia Beach $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chattanooga and Virginia Beach, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Chattanooga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chattanooga than you might in Virginia Beach.
Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is bigger, and its population is about 2.7 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the population of Chattanooga vs. Virginia Beach, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach?
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 Chattanooga or Virginia Beach in the Summer?
Both Virginia Beach and Chattanooga during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Chattanooga is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 81°F (27°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.
Virginia Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChattanooga 81°F (27°C)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Virginia Beach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Chattanooga is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChattanooga 63°F (17°C)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Virginia Beach. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.
The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. Chattanooga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chattanooga is a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chattanooga in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 39°F (4°C).
In the winter, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.
Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChattanooga 40°F (5°C)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Chattanooga or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
Both Virginia Beach and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
In April, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 62°F (17°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Virginia Beach. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChattanooga 62°F (17°C)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Chattanooga
| Chattanooga | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 53°F (12°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
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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.
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