Which place is cheaper, New Bern or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Durham vs. New Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Durham or New Bern?
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 New Bern can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or New Bern?
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.
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $162New Bern $140
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $140. 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 New Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $92New Bern $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $184New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Durham and New Bern
Looking for a hotel in Durham or New Bern? 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 New Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $33New Bern $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or New Bern?
Prices for flights to both New Bern 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 $44New Bern $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durham $26New Bern $26
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $34New Bern $30
When comparing the travel costs between Durham and New Bern, we can see that Durham 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.
Which is Bigger, Durham or New Bern?
Durham is bigger, and its population is about 8.7 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the population of Durham vs. New Bern, 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Durham or New Bern?
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 New Bern in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and New Bern.
In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and New Bern averages at about 80°F (27°C).
New Bern receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives less rain than New Bern. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)New Bern 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as New Bern.
In October, Durham is generally cooler than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
Durham usually gets less rain in October than New Bern. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)New Bern 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Winter?
Both New Bern and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. Durham is cooler than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In January, Durham usually receives less rain than New Bern. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)New Bern 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Durham or New Bern in the Spring?
Both New Bern and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Durham is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).
Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as New Bern. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)New Bern 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for New Bern and Durham
| Durham | New Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (169 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.6 inches (192 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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