Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Virginia Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Columbia or Virginia Beach?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach?
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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia $0.00Virginia Beach $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $104. 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 Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Virginia Beach $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Virginia Beach $120
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Columbia or Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Virginia Beach $31
Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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 $4.02Virginia Beach $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia -Virginia Beach $17
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 Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- Haunted Walking Ghost Tour: $22
- Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay: $41
- Wetland Zip Tour: $61
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $62
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $62
- RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*: $75
- Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16: $499
- Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16: $831
- All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16: $5,901
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $70Virginia Beach $8.51
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Virginia Beach, we can see that Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia Beach than you might in Columbia.
When is the best time to visit Columbia or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Virginia Beach. Also, many visitors come to Virginia Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Columbia is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach in the summer. The temperature in Columbia is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Virginia Beach stays around 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the summer, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia usually gets less rain in July than Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
Both Virginia Beach and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Columbia is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October are around 64°F (18°C), and Virginia Beach is about 62°F (16°C).
It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
Both Virginia Beach and Columbia during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the cuisine.
The weather in Virginia Beach can be very cold. In January, Columbia is generally much warmer than Virginia Beach. Temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Virginia Beach stays around 39°F (4°C).
In the winter, Columbia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.
Columbia usually gets more rain in January than Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Virginia Beach. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
Columbia is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the spring. The temperature in Columbia is usually 64°F (18°C) in April, and Virginia Beach stays around 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Columbia
| Columbia | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
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