Should you visit Columbia or Boston?
Should I visit Columbia or Boston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
Which city is cheaper, Boston or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Boston is $203. 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 Columbia and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $264 for a double occupancy room in Boston.
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Boston is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $28 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boston.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi
$35
-
Subway Daily Pass
$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel:
$30
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport:
$30
-
Airport Transfer by Private Car Service:
$55
-
Private Arrival Transfer Boston Airport to Boston City:
$60
-
Private Departure Transfer from Boston City to Boston Airport:
$60
-
Private Airport Transfer: Logan International Airport (BOS) to Boston:
$64
-
Arrival Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Business or Luxury Vehicle:
$67
-
Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle:
$67
-
Boston Logan International Airport Private Transfer:
$68
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown:
$69
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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
The price of a meal in Columbia can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $4.02 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $1.61 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Boston travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Columbia $4.02
Boston $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
-
Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
$49
-
Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour:
$71
-
Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston):
$79
-
Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor:
$81
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End:
$103
-
Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet:
$105
-
Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$118
-
Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey:
$122
-
North End Neighborhood Food Tour:
$150
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Boston typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
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
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
-
Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston:
$3.95
-
Self-Guided Boston Christmas Tour:
$4.50
-
The Great Cannoli Tour:
$5.00
-
Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$5.00
-
Boston's Freedom Trail - Smart Phone guided (GPS) walking tour - go anytime:
$5.00
-
The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour:
$5.00
-
Boston's Freedom Trail, 3 tours in 1, Smart Phone Guided Tour (GPS) - go anytime:
$7.99
-
Freedom Trail Best Tour (Boston Common to Faneuil Hall):
$15
-
Boston Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
-
Freedom Trail Walking Tours:
$16
-
Tour of The Freedom Trail:
$16
-
Downtown Freedom Trail Walking Tour in Boston:
$20
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
The average person spends about $70 on alcoholic beverages in Columbia per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Boston per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail:
$56
-
Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour:
$90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Columbia.
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