Should you visit Columbus or Minneapolis?
Should I visit Columbus or Minneapolis? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Minneapolis
Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.
Which city is cheaper, Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is $164. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Columbus and Minneapolis in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $116 in Columbus For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Minneapolis can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $88, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $176.
Food
The average traveler spends about $39 per day in Columbus for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about $32 per day in Minneapolis for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Columbus $39
Minneapolis $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Historic Northeast Minneapolis Food Tour:
$52
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Private Dining: Mediterranean dinner in Minneapolis with local chef:
$89
Local Transportation
To get around in Columbus, the average visitor spends $40 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Minneapolis than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $34 on transportation in Minneapolis on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus
Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer:
$87
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Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$174
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Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer:
$87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private transfer: Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP):
$622
-
Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP:
$75
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Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP:
$75
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Minneapolis to Minneapolis Airport (MSP) - Departure Private Transfer:
$92
Entertainment
In Columbus, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $37 per person, per day.
Sightseeing expenses in Minneapolis, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $21 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket:
$21
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Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus:
$11
Tours and Activities in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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"Crooked" St. Paul Gangsters Private Riding Tour (2 hrs):
$325
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City of Lakes Tour With An Interpreter In Minneapolis:
$179
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Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (2 hrs):
$325
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Minneapolis & St. Paul Highlights Private Riding & Walking Tour (3 hrs):
$425
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Private 3-Hour Walking Tour of Paris during World War II:
$297
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Romantic tour in Minneapolis:
$498
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The Twin Cities St Paul Tour With An Interpreter:
$179
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The best of Minneapolis walking tour:
$498
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Walking Minneapolis Downtown & Skyways Private Tour (2 hrs):
$175
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Walking Minneapolis Downtown Parks, Fountains & Sculpture Private Tour (2 hrs):
$175
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Walking Minneapolis Mississippi River, Falls & Historic Mills Private Tour(2hrs):
$175
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Columbus spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Minneapolis spend on average $19 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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All Inclusive 3hr Craft Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Minneapolis Distillery Tour:
$87
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbus and Minneapolis, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis than you might in Columbus.
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