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

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Should you visit Columbia or Milwaukee?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Milwaukee? 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 Milwaukee?

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.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.

Which city is cheaper, Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee is $141. 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 Milwaukee in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbia -
    Milwaukee $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbia $0.00
    Milwaukee $158
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Milwaukee

Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Milwaukee? 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 Milwaukee


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 Milwaukee Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbia -
    Milwaukee $31

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee

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

  • Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer: $64
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Business Class Car: $67
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in Business Class Car: $67
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in an SUV: $83
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in an SUV: $83
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Luxury Class Car: $100
  • Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in a Luxury Car: $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Milwaukee?

Prices for flights to both Milwaukee 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
    Milwaukee $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee

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

  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Milwaukee: $90
  • Milwaukee Secret Food Tour w/ Private Tour Option: $193

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbia -
    Milwaukee $21

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 Milwaukee

For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • The Grand Walk: An audio tour through Milwaukee's historical and cultural heart: $5.00
  • Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum: $5.00
  • Skip the Line: Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear Admission Ticket: $6.00
  • Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Harley-Davidson Museum General Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option: $22
  • Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
  • Ticket: $40
  • Cruisin' Karaoke Tour: $41
  • Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour: $41
  • Fun Milwaukee Tours: $45
  • Fun Public Milwaukee Tours: $45
  • Christmas Past, Present and Future Light Tour: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbia $70
    Milwaukee $26

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 Milwaukee

Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Milwaukee Bar Hunt: Milwaukee Bar Crawl: $12
  • Operation Mindfall Brewery District in Downtown Milwaukee: $35
  • Operation Mindfall Bar Crawl on Brady Street: $35

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Columbia or Milwaukee?

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 Milwaukee in the Summer?

Both Milwaukee and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit.

Columbia is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the summer. The temperature in Columbia is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Milwaukee stays around 74°F (23°C).

In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Milwaukee. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbia 82°F (28°C) 
    Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Milwaukee in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Milwaukee.

In the autumn, Columbia is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October are around 64°F (18°C), and Milwaukee is about 53°F (12°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Milwaukee in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Milwaukee.

It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Milwaukee stays around 21°F (-6°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbia 45°F (7°C) 
    Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Milwaukee in the Spring?

Both Milwaukee and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Columbia is much warmer than Milwaukee in the spring. The temperature in Columbia is usually 64°F (18°C) in April, and Milwaukee stays around 47°F (8°C).

It's quite sunny in Milwaukee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milwaukee. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)

Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Columbia

Columbia Milwaukee
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Feb 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 26°F (-4°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 47°F (8°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 72°F (22°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 65°F (18°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 41°F (5°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)


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Columbia vs. Milwaukee Travel Comparison

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