A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Columbia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Columbia?

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

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 Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a sports oriented, diverse, and student-filled city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.

Durham and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Durham or Columbia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Durham than Columbia, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Durham is more touristy than Columbia and is known for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. It is also home to the Duke University Chapel. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Durham different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia and Durham. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Columbia?

Durham
Columbia

Durham is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.


Is the Food Better in Durham or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Durham
Columbia

Durham is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Durham. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Durham or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Durham
Columbia

Both Durham and Columbia are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Columbia?

Durham
Columbia

Both Durham and Columbia are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbia. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.


Is Durham or Columbia Better for Families?

Durham
Columbia

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Columbia.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Durham or Columbia Better for Couples?

Durham
Columbia

Durham is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Durham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Durham or Columbia Better for Students?

Durham
Columbia

Durham is a well-known place for students. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Durham is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.


Is Durham or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Durham
Columbia

Both Durham and Columbia offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Durham or Columbia a more walkable city?

Durham
Columbia

Durham is a moderate city for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Durham?

How long in Durham or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Durham or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Durham than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

Families should spend more time in Durham than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Durham than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Durham that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Durham.


  • How many days in Durham or Columbia? Ideal Length of Stay
    Durham 1-3 
    Columbia 1-2

One day in Durham or Columbia?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Columbia. One day is often enough time to do most activities.


A weekend in Durham or Columbia?

Durham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Columbia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Columbia?

Durham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Columbia. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Columbia?

Durham is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the suburban destination of Columbia. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Columbia or Durham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 Durham and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durham $92
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durham $184
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Durham and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Durham or Columbia? 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 Durham


Hotels in Columbia


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: Durham Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durham $33
    Columbia -

Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Durham $44
    Columbia $5.03

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durham $26
    Columbia -

Tours and Activities in Durham

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:

  • True Crime Tour: $13
  • Downtown Durham Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • Durham African American History Tour: $16
  • Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durham $34
    Columbia $88


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durham Expensive? and Is Columbia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Durham or Columbia?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Columbia, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Durham or Columbia?

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 Durham or Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Columbia. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Durham 79°F (26°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Durham or Columbia in the Autumn?

Both Columbia and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

Durham is around the same temperature as Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the autumn, Durham often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Durham 61°F (16°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Durham or Columbia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Columbia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In the winter, Durham is much colder than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives less rain than Columbia. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Durham 40°F (5°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Durham or Columbia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Columbia.

In April, Durham is generally cooler than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the spring, Durham often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Durham 60°F (16°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Durham

Durham Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)