Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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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.
Where Should I go: Durham or Columbia?
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.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $130Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $130, 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Durham and Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $73Columbia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $146Columbia $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $26Columbia -
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
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
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Food Meals for one dayDurham $35Columbia $4.02
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durham $21Columbia -
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
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $27Columbia $70
Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia
Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
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.
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.
In July, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia stays 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 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.
Durham is around the same temperature as Columbia in the autumn. The temperature in Durham is usually 61°F (16°C) in October, and Columbia stays 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 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.
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 are around 40°F (5°C), and Columbia is 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 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. Temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), and Columbia stays 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 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) |
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