Should you visit Columbia or Milwaukee?
Should I visit Columbia or Milwaukee? 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.
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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Columbia and Milwaukee in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $158 for a double occupancy room in Milwaukee If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
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.
Food in Milwaukee costs travelers about $41 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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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:
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Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Milwaukee:
$90
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Milwaukee Secret Food Tour w/ Private Tour Option:
$193
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Milwaukee than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $31 on transportation in Milwaukee on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee
Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer:
$64
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Business Class Car:
$67
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Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in Business Class Car:
$67
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in an SUV:
$83
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Private Transfer Milwaukee to Milwaukee Airport MKE in an SUV:
$83
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Private Transfer Milwaukee Airport MKE to Milwaukee in Luxury Class Car:
$100
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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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Milwaukee, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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The Grand Walk: An audio tour through Milwaukee's historical and cultural heart:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum:
$5.00
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Skip the Line: Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear Admission Ticket:
$6.00
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Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket:
$8.00
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Harley-Davidson Museum General Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option:
$22
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Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$35
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Ticket:
$40
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Cruisin' Karaoke Tour:
$41
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Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour:
$41
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Fun Milwaukee Tours:
$45
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Fun Public Milwaukee Tours:
$45
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Christmas Past, Present and Future Light Tour:
$70
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.
Typically, people visiting Milwaukee spend on average $26 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Milwaukee Bar Hunt: Milwaukee Bar Crawl:
$12
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Operation Mindfall Brewery District in Downtown Milwaukee:
$35
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Operation Mindfall Bar Crawl on Brady Street:
$35
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.
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