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

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Should you visit Columbia or Boston?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Boston? 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 Boston?

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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Columbia and Boston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbia -
    Boston $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbia $0.00
    Boston $264
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Boston

Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Boston? 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 Columbia


Hotels in Boston


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 Boston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbia -
    Boston $28

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
  • 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 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbia -
    Boston $26

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:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbia $70
    Boston $22

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

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Columbia or Boston?

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 Columbia or Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Columbia is generally a little warmer than Boston. Temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Boston stays around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during summer. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Boston. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbia 82°F (28°C) 
    Boston 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

Columbia is a little warmer than Boston in the autumn. The temperature in Columbia is usually 64°F (18°C) in October, and Boston stays around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the autumn, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Boston. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Boston 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Boston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Boston. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January are around 45°F (7°C), and Boston is about 29°F (-2°C).

Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbia 45°F (7°C) 
    Boston 29°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Boston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Boston. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Columbia is generally much warmer than Boston. Temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Boston stays around 48°F (9°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the spring, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Boston. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Boston 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Boston and Columbia

Columbia Boston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)


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Columbia vs. Boston Travel Comparison

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