Which place is cheaper, New York City or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. New York City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Durham or New York City?
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 York City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or New York City?
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 York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $162New York City $316
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $162, while the average daily cost in New York City is $316. 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 York City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $92New York City $165
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $184New York City $330
Compare Hotels in Durham and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Durham or New York City? 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 York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $33New York City $49
Typical Local Transportation prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway$4.50
-
Taxi Ride$8.00
-
Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Manhattan: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport: $21
- Manhattan: Shared Transfer to or from LaGuardia Airport: $37
- Private Arrival Transfer NYC Airports JFK LGA EWR to Manhattan: $38
- Private Departure Transfer Manhattan to NYC Airports JFK EWR LGA: $38
- NYC: One-Way Shared Transfer to or from Newark Airport: $40
- NYC: One-Way Transfer to/from JFK Airport and Manhattan: $43
- Private Departure Transfer Brooklyn to NYC Airports (JFK) (LGA) (EWR): $43
- Private Arrival Transfer: NYC Airports (JFK) (LGA) (EWR) to Brooklyn: $43
- Private New York City Inter-Airports (JFK) (LGA) (EWR) Transfer: $43
- NYC Airports JFK LGA EWR - Arrival Private Transfer : $48
- Private Transfer from Manhattan Port to New York Airport (LGA): $51
- NYC Private Departure Transfer JFK LGA EWR All Inclusive: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 dayDurham $44New York City $50
Typical Food prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Gelato$7.50
-
Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
-
Coffee$6.53
-
Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour of Queens: 3 Continents, 20 Blocks, 10 Countries: $30
- Upper East Side Walking Food Tour: $40
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $41
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $59
- East Village Food Tour: $60
- Foods of NY Tours Chelsea Market Food Tour & High Line Park: $63
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- North Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Gastro Pub Pre/Post Theater Dinner in Times Square: $67
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durham $26New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Durham NC: A downtown art tour on foot: $20
Typical Entertainment prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Comedy Show Tickets$56
-
City Map$8.00
-
Broadway Musical$111
-
Broadway Show Program$10
-
Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Central Park NYC: First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.17
- Marvel Universe in New York In-app Audio Tour in English: $5.00
- New York City's Financial District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.39
- Private Haunted and Historic Audio Tour in Greenwich Village: $5.56
- United States (US): Tourist eSIM Data Plan: $6.34
- Central Park NYC Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.54
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- NYC: Central Park Exploration Game and Tour: $6.88
- NYC: National Lighthouse Museum Admission Ticket: $7.00
- Brooklyn Heights: A Self-Guided Tour from the Promenade to Truman Capote's house: $7.31
- TellBetter’s Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $34New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Fall in Love with Brooklyn Nightlife - NYC's Best Bar Crawl : $20
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $24
- Friending and Bar Crawls as a Local New Yorker: $29
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $34
- New York: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- The Bar Crawl and History Experience! : $36
- NYC: Great Jones Distillery Tour & Whiskey Tasting: $42
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $45
- Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $45
- New York City Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Skip-the-Line Entrance: $85
- Guided Queens Craft Brewery Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Durham.
Which is Bigger, Durham or New York City?
New York City is bigger, and its population is about 39.1 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the population of Durham vs. New York City, 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 York City?
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 New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Durham during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than New York City. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Durham or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and New York City. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to New York City because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Durham is generally a little warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In October, Durham usually receives less rain than New York City. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Durham or New York City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Durham as well as New York City. Additionally, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
It's quite cold in New York City in the winter. The weather in Durham can be very cold. Durham is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Durham or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Durham is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In April, Durham usually receives less rain than New York City. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Durham
| Durham | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
Related Articles for Durham
Related Articles for New York City
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.
More City Comparisons
Washington vs. DurhamWashington vs. New York City
Clearwater vs. Durham
Clearwater vs. New York City
Fort Lauderdale vs. Durham
Fort Lauderdale vs. New York City
Gainesville vs. Durham
Gainesville vs. New York City
Jacksonville vs. Durham
Jacksonville vs. New York City
Miami vs. Durham
Miami vs. New York City
Orlando vs. Durham
Orlando vs. New York City
Saint Petersburg vs. Durham
Saint Petersburg vs. New York City
Tallahassee vs. Durham
Tallahassee vs. New York City
Tampa vs. Durham
Tampa vs. New York City
Atlanta vs. Durham
Atlanta vs. New York City
Savannah vs. Durham
Savannah vs. New York City
New Orleans vs. Durham
New Orleans vs. New York City
Baltimore vs. Durham
Baltimore vs. New York City
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.