A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Pasadena for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Columbia or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Pasadena? 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Pasadena

Pasadena is a picturesque, quaint, and charming city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia and Pasadena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Pasadena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pasadena than Columbia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pasadena is more touristy than Columbia and is known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. It is also home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Pasadena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pasadena and Columbia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Pasadena offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Pasadena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pasadena. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Columbia or Pasadena Better for Nightlife?

Pasadena is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Pasadena offers plenty to do in the evening. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Pasadena?

Pasadena is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Pasadena is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Columbia or Pasadena Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Pasadena.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Pasadena is a family-friendly city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.

Is Columbia or Pasadena Better for Couples?

Pasadena is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Pasadena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Columbia or Pasadena Better for Students?

Columbia is a good destination for students. However, Pasadena is not popular with students.

Columbia is a good city to visit for students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Pasadena is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Pasadena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Pasadena is a popular place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Pasadena has a few public transit options. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Columbia or Pasadena a more walkable city?

Pasadena is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Pasadena is a somewhat walkable place. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Pasadena or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Pasadena?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Columbia and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pasadena than in Columbia. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Columbia, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.

Families should spend more time in Pasadena than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pasadena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Pasadena than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Pasadena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pasadena.

One day in Columbia or Pasadena?

The city of Columbia offers nightlife and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The city of Pasadena offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Columbia or Pasadena?

Columbia is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Pasadena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Pasadena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Pasadena?

Columbia is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Pasadena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Columbia or Pasadena?

Columbia is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Pasadena is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Pasadena?

Pasadena has a larger population, and is about 24% larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Columbia is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Pasadena averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Columbia. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Columbia during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In October, Columbia is generally cooler than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Columbia usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Pasadena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pasadena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia is much colder than Pasadena in the winter. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Columbia usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Pasadena.

In the spring, Columbia is around the same temperature as Pasadena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Pasadena averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Columbia usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Columbia