Which city is cheaper, Arlington or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Arlington for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Columbia or Arlington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia or Arlington? 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: Columbia or Arlington?
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.
Arlington
Located just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, capital of the United States, Arlington is a city that also has many government sites and monuments that commemorate the nation's past. Two of its most famous features include Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon-the largest office building in the world.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia $0.00Arlington $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Arlington is $211. 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 Columbia and Arlington in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Arlington $105
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Arlington $210
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Arlington
Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Arlington? 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: Columbia Hotel Prices and Arlington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Arlington $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arlington
Also for Arlington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Washington Reagan Airport DCA: $29
- Private Airport Transfer: Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) to Washington: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer DCA Ronald Regan Washington Airport to Washington City: $46
- Washington - Ronald Reagan National Airport One Way Transfer: $48
- Washington R. Reagan Airport (DCA) to Washington - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Transfer in private car from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport to Washington City: $64
- Washington Airport Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car: $68
- Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Business Car: $72
- Private Transfer Ronald Reagan Airport DCA to Washington DC by Business Car: $75
- Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury Van: $78
- Arrival Private Transfers: National Airport DCA to Washington in Luxury SUV: $78
- Transfer in private minivan from Washington Ronald Reagan Airport to City: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Arlington?
Prices for flights to both Arlington and Columbia 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 dayColumbia $4.02Arlington $64
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia -Arlington $8.50
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
- Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
Tours and Activities in Arlington
For Arlington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tasting & Tour: $8.78
- Arlington National Cemetery Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $15
- Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour: $36
- DC: Monuments Tour with Optional Arlington National Cemetery: $49
- Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - 8ppl Max: $73
- Arlington National Cemetery Guided Walking Tour - Private Tour: $73
- Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Tour - 8ppl Max: $143
- Arlington Cemetery & American History Museum Guided Combo Tour - Private Tour: $143
- Arlington Cemetery Private Tour: $359
- Arlington National Cemetery Private Walking Tour: $360
- 4 Hours Private Chauffeured DC Sight Seeing Tour / SUV & Sedan: $428
- Stuck at the Airport Washington DC Tour: $450
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $70Arlington $13
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Arlington, we can see that Arlington 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 Arlington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arlington than you might in Columbia.
When is the best time to visit Columbia or Arlington?
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 Columbia or Arlington in the Summer?
Both Arlington and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Columbia is around the same temperature as Arlington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Arlington is about 79°F (26°C).
In Arlington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Arlington. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 278 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Arlington. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Arlington 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Arlington in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Arlington.
In October, Columbia is generally a little warmer than Arlington. Temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Arlington stays around 60°F (15°C).
In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Arlington 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Arlington in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Arlington.
The weather in Arlington can be very cold. Columbia is much warmer than Arlington in the winter. The temperature in Columbia is usually 45°F (7°C) in January, and Arlington stays around 35°F (1°C).
In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Arlington. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arlington receives 139 hours of full sun.
Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Arlington. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Arlington 35°F (1°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Arlington in the Spring?
Both Arlington and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Columbia is a little warmer than Arlington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April are around 64°F (18°C), and Arlington is about 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Arlington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Arlington during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Arlington receives 228 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Arlington. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Arlington receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Arlington 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Arlington and Columbia
| Columbia | Arlington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Related Articles for Columbia
Related Articles for Arlington
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.More City Comparisons
Washington vs. ColumbiaWashington vs. Arlington
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Arlington
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Arlington
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Arlington
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Arlington
Miami vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Arlington
Orlando vs. Columbia
Orlando vs. Arlington
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia
Saint Petersburg vs. Arlington
Tallahassee vs. Columbia
Tallahassee vs. Arlington
Tampa vs. Columbia
Tampa vs. Arlington
Atlanta vs. Columbia
Atlanta vs. Arlington
Savannah vs. Columbia
Savannah vs. Arlington
New Orleans vs. Columbia
New Orleans vs. Arlington
Baltimore vs. Columbia
Baltimore vs. Arlington
Share This Page
Pin This Page
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.