A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Detroit for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Detroit?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Detroit? 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a friendly, welcoming, and suburban city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Detroit

Detroit is a hardworking, overlooked , and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums.

Columbia and Detroit: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Detroit?

You'll generally find more things to do in Detroit than Columbia. Detroit is bigger than Columbia, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Detroit is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. Also, Detroit is famous for the Henry Ford Experience. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Detroit?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Detroit and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Detroit?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Columbia and Detroit.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Detroit? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Detroit is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Detroit. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Detroit offers plenty to do in the evening. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Music?

Detroit is renowned for its live music scene. However, Columbia is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Detroit Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Columbia is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Detroit?

Both Columbia and Detroit are notable shopping destinations.

Columbia offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Detroit has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Detroit.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Detroit is a family-friendly city. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Columbia or Detroit as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Columbia as a couple's destination. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Detroit is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Students?

Columbia is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Detroit is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Detroit is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Detroit Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Detroit offer respectable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Is Columbia or Detroit a more walkable city?

Detroit is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Detroit Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Detroit or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Detroit?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Detroit. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Detroit than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Detroit.

Families should spend more time in Detroit than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Detroit, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Detroit than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Detroit that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Detroit than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Detroit.

One day in Columbia or Detroit?

In Columbia, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Detroit offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Detroit?

In Columbia, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Columbia has to offer.

Detroit is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Detroit, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Detroit?

Columbia is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Detroit is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Detroit?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Detroit is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that live music is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbia Expensive? and Is Detroit Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Detroit?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Detroit, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Detroit?

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 Detroit in the Summer?

Both Detroit and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Detroit in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Columbia is a little warmer than Detroit in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Detroit fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Detroit, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Detroit. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Detroit. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Detroit in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Detroit. Many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Detroit for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Columbia is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Detroit averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Detroit. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Columbia or Detroit in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Detroit. Most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Detroit because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Detroit can be very cold. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Detroit. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Detroit fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Detroit. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Detroit. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Detroit in the Spring?

Both Detroit and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Detroit this time of year.

Columbia is much warmer than Detroit in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Detroit fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Detroit. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Detroit. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Detroit and Columbia