A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Memphis for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Durham or Memphis?

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

Where Should I go: Durham or Memphis?

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.

Memphis

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.

Which city is cheaper, Memphis 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 Memphis is $134. 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 Memphis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durham $73
    Memphis $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durham $146
    Memphis $134
Compare Hotels in Durham and Memphis

Looking for a hotel in Durham or Memphis? 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 Memphis


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 Memphis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durham $26
    Memphis $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:

  • Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Memphis

Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM: $72
  • Private Transfers: Memphis Airport: $109
  • Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $112
  • Memphis City to Memphis Airport (MEM) - Departure Private Transfer: $112
  • Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $224
  • Private transfer: Memphis to Memphis Airport (MEM): $622
  • Private transfer: Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis: $622

Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Memphis?

Prices for flights to both Memphis 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 $35
    Memphis $34

Typical Food prices in Memphis

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:


  • Baskin Robins (for 2)
    $6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis

For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour: $64

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Durham $21
    Memphis $36

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 Memphis

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.

  • Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Memphis Cotton Museum Admission Ticket: $10
  • Entry Ticket to the Edge Motor Museum: $10
  • Rock 'n' Soul Museum with Audio Tour: $11
  • Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • Skip the Line: Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket: $15
  • 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Haunted Memphis Walking Ghost Tour: $16
  • Memphis Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Historic Memphis Guided Walking Tour: $21
  • Memphis Mojo Bus Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Durham $27
    Memphis $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Memphis

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:

  • 2-Hour Private Pedal Tavern Pub Crawl in Downtown Memphis: $800

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Durham and Memphis, we can see that Memphis 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.


When is the best time to visit Durham or Memphis?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Durham or Memphis in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Memphis. Additionally, many travelers come to Memphis for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Durham is around the same temperature as Memphis in the summer. The temperature in Durham is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Memphis stays around 83°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Memphis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 328 hours of full sun.

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Memphis. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Durham 79°F (26°C) 
    Memphis 83°F (29°C)

Should I visit Durham or Memphis in the Autumn?

Both Memphis and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Memphis in the autumn for the shopping scene and the music scene.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Memphis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October are around 61°F (16°C), and Memphis is about 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Memphis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Memphis during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Durham usually receives more rain than Memphis. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Durham or Memphis in the Winter?

Both Memphis and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Memphis for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Memphis can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Memphis. Temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Memphis stays around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 163 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Memphis. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Durham 40°F (5°C) 
    Memphis 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Durham or Memphis in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Memphis.

Durham is cooler than Memphis in the spring. The temperature in Durham is usually 60°F (16°C) in April, and Memphis stays around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

Memphis receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Durham usually receives less rain than Memphis. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Memphis and Durham

Durham Memphis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 40°F (5°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 54°F (12°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 64°F (18°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 80°F (27°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 83°F (29°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 82°F (28°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 44°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)


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Durham vs. Memphis Travel Comparison

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