Which city is cheaper, Pasadena or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Pasadena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Durham or Pasadena?
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 Pasadena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or Pasadena?
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.
Pasadena
Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $130Pasadena $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $130, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $50. 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 Pasadena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $73Pasadena $20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $146Pasadena $40
Compare Hotels in Durham and Pasadena
Looking for a hotel in Durham or Pasadena? 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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $26Pasadena $17
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 Pasadena?
Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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 $35Pasadena $15
Typical Food prices in Pasadena
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:
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Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)$58
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Durham $21Pasadena -
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 Pasadena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:
- Private Self-Guided Tour of Pasadena in Los Angeles: $19
- Private Christmas Tour with Christmas Afternoon Tea Ceremony in Old Pasadena: $220
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $27Pasadena -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Pasadena, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.
When is the best time to visit Durham or Pasadena?
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 Pasadena in the Summer?
Both Pasadena and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Durham is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The temperature in Durham is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Pasadena stays around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)Pasadena 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Durham or Pasadena in the Autumn?
Both Pasadena and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Durham is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October are around 61°F (16°C), and Pasadena is about 68°F (20°C).
Durham usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)Pasadena 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Durham or Pasadena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Pasadena.
The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Durham is generally much colder than Pasadena. Temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Pasadena stays around 56°F (13°C).
In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)Pasadena 56°F (13°C)
Should I visit Durham or Pasadena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Pasadena.
Durham is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the spring. The temperature in Durham is usually 60°F (16°C) in April, and Pasadena stays around 62°F (17°C).
Durham usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)Pasadena 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Pasadena and Durham
| Durham | Pasadena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.6 inches (42 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
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