Should you visit Columbia or Dallas?
Should I visit Columbia or Dallas? 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.
Dallas
Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.
Which city is cheaper, Dallas 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 Dallas is $103. 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 Dallas in more detail.
Accommodation
Dallas's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $116. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $58.
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.
The price of a meal in Dallas can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $28 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Columbia $4.02
Dallas $28
Typical Food prices in Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.
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Live from Eggs Benedict Brunch Cooking Class with Bri from MasteChef:
$33
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Live from Eggs Benedict Cooking Class with Bri from MasterChef:
$33
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Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Dallas:
$73
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Secret Food Tour of Dallas w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
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Dallas Secret Food Tour:
$224
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Dallas is $23 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW:
$38
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Private Departure Transfer to Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW:
$38
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Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle:
$49
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Departure Private Transfer Dowtown Dallas to Dallas Airport DAL Luxury Vehicle:
$49
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Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Las Colinas, Irving by Luxury Vehicle:
$54
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Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Addison by Luxury Vehicle:
$54
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Private Transfer Downtown Dallas to Fort Worth Airport DFW Luxury Vehicle:
$63
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Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Plano by Luxury Vehicle:
$63
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Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center to Fort Worth Airport:
$70
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Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center to Love Field Airport:
$73
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Transfer in executive private car from Dallas Love Field Airport to City Center:
$73
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Dallas to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$85
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Dallas?
Prices for flights to both Dallas 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.
Entertainment
Dallas's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $10 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
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walkSTEM Tour:
$18
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Skip the Line: Marionette Theater Tickets in Dallas:
$19
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Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket:
$21
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Dallas Cruizer Tour:
$25
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John F Kennedy Assassination Tour with Sixth Floor Museum:
$26
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Skip the Line: Princess Party Breakfast Show Ticket:
$26
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Dallas City Highlights Tour:
$29
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75-Minute Small-Group City Highlights Tour:
$30
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Dallas Food and Culture Tour:
$36
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Urban Adventure Quest: Scavenger Hunt in Dallas, Texas:
$44
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JFK Assassination Tour + Oswald's Rooming House:
$50
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The Great Dallas Tour:
$50
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 $9.82 on alcoholic beverages in Dallas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Dallas Bar Hunt: Dallas Dynasty Bar Crawl:
$12
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Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas:
$55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Dallas, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas than you might in Columbia.
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