Should you visit Durham or Anchorage?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Anchorage can help you decide which place is right for you.
Durham
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $130, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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 Durham and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
Durham's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $146. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $73.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Anchorage is $186. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Durham cost around $35 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
In Anchorage travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Durham $35
Anchorage $40
Typical Food prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $26 per day to get around in Durham.
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:
-
Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer:
$139
-
Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN):
$407
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer:
$34
-
Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$34
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$54
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC:
$54
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$67
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port:
$209
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port:
$292
-
Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$292
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$386
-
Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC):
$622
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$771
Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Durham 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $21 per person, per day in Durham. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
-
Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham:
$41
Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
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1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
-
Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Anchorage Museum General Admission Ticket:
$20
-
1-Hour Trolley Tour:
$20
-
Anchorage Trolley Tour:
$21
-
Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage:
$39
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Winter - Anchorage All Around City Tour:
$49
-
Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage:
$59
-
Gold Panning Self-Guided Tour:
$69
-
Turnagain Arm Tour: "A Must See Destination":
$69
-
Beginner’s Snowshoeing Adventure:
$81
-
Coastal Trail 3-Hour City Bike Tour:
$85
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Explore Portage Valley a Self-Guided Tour:
$99
Alcohol
The average person spends about $27 on alcoholic beverages in Durham per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$115
-
Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour:
$219
-
Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage:
$349
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Durham.
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