Which place is cheaper, Nashville or Columbus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbus vs. Nashville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Columbus or Nashville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbus or Nashville? 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 Nashville?
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. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.
Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbus $158Nashville $172
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $158, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $172. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Columbus and Nashville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbus $72Nashville $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbus $144Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Columbus and Nashville
Looking for a hotel in Columbus or Nashville? 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: Columbus Hotel Prices and Nashville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbus $50Nashville $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville
Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer to Nashville Airport and Hotel: $128
- Private Departure Transfer from Downtown Nashville to Nashville Airport (BNA): $84
- Private Arrival Transfer in Nashville International Airport (BNA) : $50
- Private Arrival Transfer from Nashville Airport (BNA) to Downtown Nashville: $84
- Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Nashville?
Prices for flights to both Nashville 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
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Food Meals for one dayColumbus $49Nashville $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville
For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Franklin, TN: $85
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Nashville, TN: $88
- Nashville Gulch & Union Station: Walking & Tasting Food Tour: $89
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $90
- Nashville Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- Nashville 12South Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- General Jackson Showboat Lunch or Dinner Cruise in Nashville: $110
- The Gulch Private Walking Food Tour: $119
- General Jackson Showboat Dinner Cruise: $136
- Downtown Nashville Walking Food Tour: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbus $46Nashville $27
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Columbus Attractions Pass Ticket : $32
- 3-Day Columbus Attractions Admission Ticket: $45
- Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure : $21
- 1-Hour Themed Escape Room Adventure & Narrative: $39
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $29
- Private Downtown Columbus Tour Up to 3 Passengers: $399
- The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $40
Tours and Activities in Nashville
For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Nashville Sightseeing Walking Tour: $27
- Nashville Ghosts: Hauntings of Music City Tour By Junket: $30
- 2 Hour Joyride Private Party Bus Experience in Nashville (up to 35 guests): $677
- 2 Hour Narrated Sightseeing Tractor Tour of Nashville: $58
- 2-Hour Guided E-Bicycle Sightseeing Tour of Nashville: $117
- 90-Minute "Murder in Music City" Night-Time Ghost Walking Tour of Nashville: $35
- 90-Minute Legends of Music City Guided Historical Walking Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Monster Truck Joyride City Tour of Nashville: $53
- Adventure Park Ziplining and Climbing in Nashville : $52
- Adventureworks Ziplines at Nashville West: $61
- All-Inclusive Nashville to Jack Daniels Whiskey Adventure: $159
- Amazing Nashville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbus $20Nashville $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:
- Spirited Nights: Haunted Pub Crawl in Music City: $24
- Nashville's Big Machine Distillery Guided Tour with Tastings: $25
- Music City Pub Crawl: $25
- Downtown Nashville Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $25
- Belle Meade Guided Mansion Tour with Complimentary Wine Tasting: $29
- Nashville's Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Nashville's Honky-Tonk Walking Sightseeing Pub Crawl: $30
- Hop-on Hop-off Brewery Trolley Tour - West Loop: $33
- Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- Nashville Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Nashville Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Columbus and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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.
Which is Bigger, Columbus or Nashville?
Columbus is bigger, and its population is about 39% larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the population of Columbus vs. Nashville, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Columbus or Nashville?
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 Columbus or Nashville in the Summer?
Both Nashville and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Columbus is around the same temperature as Nashville in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Nashville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbus. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Columbus. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Nashville. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbus 77°F (25°C)Nashville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Columbus or Nashville in the Autumn?
Both Nashville and Columbus during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Columbus is cooler than Nashville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbus in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Nashville. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbus 57°F (14°C)Nashville 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Columbus or Nashville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Nashville. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. The weather in Columbus can be very cold. In January, Columbus is generally much colder than Nashville. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 30°F (-1°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).
Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Nashville during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Nashville. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbus 30°F (-1°C)Nashville 38°F (4°C)
Should I visit Columbus or Nashville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Nashville. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.
Columbus is cooler than Nashville in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 54°F (12°C) in April, and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. In the spring, Columbus often gets less sunshine than Nashville. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nashville. Columbus usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbus 54°F (12°C)Nashville 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Nashville and Columbus
| Columbus | Nashville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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