Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Nashville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Columbia or Nashville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia or Nashville? 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 Nashville?
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.
Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia $0.00Nashville $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $172. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Columbia and Nashville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Nashville $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Nashville
Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Nashville? 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.
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 Nashville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Nashville $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville
Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nashville International Airport (BNA) : $50
- Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville accomodation - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Nashville accomodation to Nashville Airport (BNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Private Departure Transfer from Downtown Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $84
- Private Arrival Transfer from Nashville Airport (BNA) to Downtown Nashville: $84
- Private Transfer Nashville To|From International Airport : $89
- Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
- Airport to Hotel Private Transfer: $125
- Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128
- Nashville Airport (BNA) to Nashville Round-Trip Private Transfer: $132
- Nashville Roundtrip Airport Transfer by Private Van: $250
- Private Round trip transfer - Nashville International Airport (BNA): $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Nashville?
Prices for flights to both Nashville 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
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Food Meals for one dayColumbia $5.03Nashville $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville
For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $94
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $94
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $94
- Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- Nashville 12South Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $110
- Nashville's Gulch: An Exclusive/Private Walking Food Tour: $119
- General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $136
- Downtown Nashville Walking Food Tour: $165
- Nashville Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $198
- Private Half-Day History and Food Tour of Nashville: $441
- Private Hands-on Cooking Party for up to 10 guests: $714
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia -Nashville $27
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12
Tours and Activities in Nashville
For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Music City Self-Guided Walking Tour w/ Audio App: $6.75
- Nashville Music City Smart Phone Self-Guided Audio/App Walking Tour: $6.75
- Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Heart of Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Nashville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- Downtown Nashville Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- Wander Nashville Historic Tour: $10
- Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sightseeing Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Nashville Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Private Tour: $14
- Belmont Mansion All Day Admission Ticket in Nashville: $18
- Glen Campbell Museum Admission Ticket in Downtown Nashville: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $88Nashville $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:
- Nashville's Big Machine Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: $25
- Music City Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual New Year's Eve Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual Crawl-O-Ween Pub Crawl: $25
- Downtown Nashville Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $25
- Nashville's Annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual Tacky Sweater Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Annual Firecracker Pub Crawl: $25
- Nashville's Lost Spirits: Murder and True Crime Haunted Pub Crawl: $28
- Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
- Tacky Sweater Pub Crawl: Nashville's Holiday Bar Hop: $30
- Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nashville than you might in Columbia.
Which is Bigger, Columbia or Nashville?
Nashville is bigger, and its population is about 4.6 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the population of Columbia vs. Nashville, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Columbia or Nashville?
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 Nashville in the Summer?
Both Nashville and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Nashville. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Nashville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Nashville. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Columbia is around the same temperature as Nashville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nashville this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Nashville. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Nashville 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Nashville. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. In the winter, Columbia is much warmer than Nashville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Nashville averages at about 38°F (4°C).
In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Nashville. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun.
Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nashville. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Nashville 38°F (4°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Nashville in the Spring?
Both Nashville and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.
In April, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In April, Columbia usually receives less rain than Nashville. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Nashville 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Nashville and Columbia
| Columbia | Nashville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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