Which city is cheaper, Detroit or Columbus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Columbus or Detroit? 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.
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.
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
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 Detroit is $112. 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 Detroit in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Detroit? 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.
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Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Detroit 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.
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Detroit, we can see that Columbus is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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.
Both Detroit and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Columbus is around the same temperature as Detroit. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbus in July are around 77°F (25°C), and Detroit is about 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Detroit. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbus. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Columbus. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Detroit. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Detroit and Columbus during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Columbus is generally a little warmer than Detroit. Temperatures in Columbus average around 57°F (14°C), and Detroit stays around 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Columbus often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Detroit. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Detroit. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Detroit.
The weather in Detroit can be very cold. Columbus can be very cold during winter. Columbus is much warmer than Detroit in the winter. The temperature in Columbus is usually 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Detroit stays around 25°F (-4°C).
Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Detroit during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Columbus usually receives more rain than Detroit. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Detroit.
In the spring, Columbus is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbus in April are around 54°F (12°C), and Detroit is about 49°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Detroit. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Detroit. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Columbus | Detroit | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
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