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

Should you visit Columbia or Kailua-Kona?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona?

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.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

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 Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Kailua-Kona?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?

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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

Both Kailua-Kona and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Columbia is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the autumn, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Columbia is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).

Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Columbia usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Kailua-Kona.

In April, Columbia is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the spring, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kailua-Kona. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Columbia