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

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Should you visit Columbus or Berkeley?

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

Should I visit Columbus or Berkeley? 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: Columbus or Berkeley?

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Berkeley

Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").

Which city is cheaper, Berkeley or Columbus?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $126, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $152. 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 Columbus and Berkeley in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbus $58
    Berkeley $105
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbus $116
    Berkeley $210
Compare Hotels in Columbus and Berkeley

Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Berkeley? 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 Columbus


Hotels in Berkeley


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: Columbus Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbus $40
    Berkeley $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Berkeley?

Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Columbus 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
    Columbus $39
    Berkeley $29

Typical Food prices in Berkeley

Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:


  • Chocolates at Sweet Dreams
    $4.46

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.

  • Learn to Make New Orleans-Style Gumbo in a Private Berkeley Cooking Class: $66
  • Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $110

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbus $37
    Berkeley $24

Tours and Activities in Columbus

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

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbus $16
    Berkeley $10

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Columbus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbus 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Columbus.


When is the best time to visit Columbus or Berkeley?

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 Columbus or Berkeley in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Berkeley.

In July, Columbus is generally a little warmer than Berkeley. Temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Berkeley stays around 63°F (17°C).

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbus usually gets more rain in July than Berkeley. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Columbus 77°F (25°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Berkeley in the Autumn?

Both Berkeley and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

Columbus is cooler than Berkeley in the autumn. The temperature in Columbus is usually 57°F (14°C) in October, and Berkeley stays around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Columbus usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbus 57°F (14°C) 
    Berkeley 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Berkeley in the Winter?

Both Berkeley and Columbus during the winter are popular places to visit.

Columbus can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Columbus is much colder than Berkeley. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January are around 30°F (-1°C), and Berkeley is about 50°F (10°C).

Columbus usually gets less rain in January than Berkeley. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C) 
    Berkeley 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Columbus or Berkeley in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Berkeley.

In April, Columbus is generally cooler than Berkeley. Temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Berkeley stays around 58°F (14°C).

In April, Columbus usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Columbus 54°F (12°C) 
    Berkeley 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Berkeley and Columbus

Columbus Berkeley
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)


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Columbus vs. Berkeley Travel Comparison

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