A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Cincinnati or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Columbia? 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: Cincinnati or Columbia?

Cincinnati

Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Cincinnati?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $82
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $164
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Columbia? 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.

Hotels in Cincinnati


Hotels in Columbia


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $20
    Columbia -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $122

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia and Cincinnati 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cincinnati $44
    Columbia $4.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.

  • Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati: $69
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market: $69
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $180

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $21
    Columbia -

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
  • Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone: $24
  • Cellarman's Tour: $26
  • Ohio River: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • 1919: The year that changed baseball tour: $30
  • 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $36
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $36
  • The Original Findlay Market Tour: $39
  • Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati: $59
  • Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour: $65
  • Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour: $69
  • Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour: $74

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $9.11
    Columbia $70

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Tour: $65

Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia

Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Columbia, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati than you might in Columbia.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati or Columbia?

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 Cincinnati or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Columbia.

Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Columbia in the summer. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Columbia stays around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Columbia.

In the autumn, Cincinnati is cooler than Columbia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October are around 58°F (15°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets less rain in October than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Cincinnati. In January, Cincinnati is generally much colder than Columbia. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).

Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Cincinnati during the spring are popular places to visit.

Cincinnati is cooler than Columbia in the spring. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 56°F (14°C) in April, and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Cincinnati
Washington vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Cincinnati
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Cincinnati
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Cincinnati
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Cincinnati
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Cincinnati
Miami vs. Columbia
Orlando vs. Cincinnati
Orlando vs. Columbia
Saint Petersburg vs. Cincinnati
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia
Tallahassee vs. Cincinnati
Tallahassee vs. Columbia
Tampa vs. Cincinnati
Tampa vs. Columbia
Atlanta vs. Cincinnati
Atlanta vs. Columbia
Savannah vs. Cincinnati
Savannah vs. Columbia
New Orleans vs. Cincinnati
New Orleans vs. Columbia
Baltimore vs. Cincinnati
Baltimore vs. Columbia
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Cincinnati vs. Columbia Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.