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

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Columbia or Memphis?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Memphis? 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 Memphis?

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.

Memphis

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.

Which city is cheaper, Memphis 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 Memphis is $134. 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 Memphis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbia -
    Memphis $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbia $0.00
    Memphis $134
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Memphis

Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Memphis? 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 Memphis


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 Memphis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbia -
    Memphis $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Memphis

Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Private Transfers: Memphis Airport: $109
  • Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $112
  • Memphis City to Memphis Airport (MEM) - Departure Private Transfer: $112
  • Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $224
  • Private transfer: Memphis to Memphis Airport (MEM): $622
  • Private transfer: Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis: $622

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Memphis?

Prices for flights to both Memphis 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
    Memphis $34

Typical Food prices in Memphis

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:


  • Baskin Robins (for 2)
    $6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis

For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbia -
    Memphis $36

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20

Tours and Activities in Memphis

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.

  • Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Memphis Cotton Museum Admission Ticket: $10
  • Entry Ticket to the Edge Motor Museum: $10
  • Rock 'n' Soul Museum with Audio Tour: $11
  • Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Skip the Line: Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket: $15
  • 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour: $16
  • Memphis Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • Memphis Mojo Bus Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbia $70
    Memphis $21

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 Memphis

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:

  • 2-Hour Private Pedal Tavern Pub Crawl in Downtown Memphis: $800

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Columbia or Memphis?

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 Memphis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Memphis. Additionally, many visitors come to Memphis in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbia is around the same temperature as Memphis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Memphis is about 83°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 328 hours of full sun.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Memphis. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbia 82°F (28°C) 
    Memphis 83°F (29°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Memphis in the Autumn?

Both Memphis and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Memphis for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Memphis stays around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Memphis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Memphis. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Memphis 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Memphis in the Winter?

Both Memphis and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Memphis because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Memphis can be very cold. Columbia is much warmer than Memphis in the winter. The temperature in Columbia is usually 45°F (7°C) in January, and Memphis stays around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 163 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Memphis. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbia 45°F (7°C) 
    Memphis 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Memphis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Memphis.

In the spring, Columbia is around the same temperature as Memphis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April are around 64°F (18°C), and Memphis is about 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

Memphis receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Memphis. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Memphis 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Memphis and Columbia

Columbia Memphis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 40°F (5°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm)
Feb 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 64°F (18°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 80°F (27°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 83°F (29°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 82°F (28°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Columbia
Washington vs. Memphis
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Memphis
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Memphis
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Memphis
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Memphis
Miami vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Memphis
Orlando vs. Columbia
Orlando vs. Memphis
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia
Saint Petersburg vs. Memphis
Tallahassee vs. Columbia
Tallahassee vs. Memphis
Tampa vs. Columbia
Tampa vs. Memphis
Atlanta vs. Columbia
Atlanta vs. Memphis
Savannah vs. Columbia
Savannah vs. Memphis
New Orleans vs. Columbia
New Orleans vs. Memphis
Baltimore vs. Columbia
Baltimore vs. Memphis
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Columbia vs. Memphis Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.