Should you visit Durham or Dallas?
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 Dallas 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.
Dallas
Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.
Which city is cheaper, Dallas 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 Dallas is $103. 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 Dallas 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.
Dallas's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $116. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $58.
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 average price of local transportation around Dallas is $23 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
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 Dallas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW:
$38
-
Private Departure Transfer to Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW:
$38
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle:
$49
-
Departure Private Transfer Dowtown Dallas to Dallas Airport DAL Luxury Vehicle:
$49
-
Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Las Colinas, Irving by Luxury Vehicle:
$54
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Addison by Luxury Vehicle:
$54
-
Private Transfer Downtown Dallas to Fort Worth Airport DFW Luxury Vehicle:
$63
-
Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Plano by Luxury Vehicle:
$63
-
Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center to Fort Worth Airport:
$70
-
Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center to Love Field Airport:
$73
-
Transfer in executive private car from Dallas Love Field Airport to City Center:
$73
-
Dallas to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$85
Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Dallas?
Prices for flights to both Dallas 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
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.
The price of a meal in Dallas can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $28 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Durham $35
Dallas $28
Typical Food prices in Dallas
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.
-
Live from Eggs Benedict Cooking Class with Bri from MasterChef:
$33
-
Live from Eggs Benedict Brunch Cooking Class with Bri from MasteChef:
$33
-
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Dallas:
$73
-
Secret Food Tour of Dallas w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
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.
Dallas's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $10 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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 Dallas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:
-
walkSTEM Tour:
$18
-
Skip the Line: Marionette Theater Tickets in Dallas:
$19
-
Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket:
$21
-
Dallas Cruizer Tour:
$25
-
John F Kennedy Assassination Tour with Sixth Floor Museum:
$26
-
Skip the Line: Princess Party Breakfast Show Ticket:
$26
-
1-Hour JFK Assassination Highlights Tour:
$26
-
Dallas City Highlights Tour:
$29
-
75-Minute Small-Group City Highlights Tour:
$30
-
Dallas Food and Culture Tour:
$36
-
Urban Adventure Quest: Scavenger Hunt in Dallas, Texas:
$44
-
JFK Assassination Tour + Oswald's Rooming House:
$50
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 $9.82 on alcoholic beverages in Dallas per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas
Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Dallas Bar Hunt: Dallas Dynasty Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas:
$55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Dallas, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Dallas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dallas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dallas 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 Dallas.
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