A Travel Price Comparison for North Carolina Durham vs. Raleigh for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Raleigh?

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

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a suburban-style, friendly, and southern city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Durham and Raleigh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Raleigh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Raleigh than Durham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Raleigh is very popular for its big city activities, while Durham attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. Raleigh is famous for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University. It is also well known for North Carolina State University.

How is Durham different from Raleigh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Raleigh and Durham. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Raleigh?

Durham is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Durham offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Raleigh? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Raleigh can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Raleigh. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

Is Durham or Raleigh Better for Nightlife?

Both Durham and Raleigh are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Durham. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Raleigh. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Raleigh?

Durham is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Durham or Raleigh Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Raleigh.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Raleigh is a family-friendly city. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Durham or Raleigh Better for Couples?

Durham is a popular place for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

Is Durham or Raleigh Better for Students?

Durham and Raleigh are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Durham is very popular with students. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Raleigh is a great city to visit as a student. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Is Durham or Raleigh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Durham is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Durham or Raleigh a more walkable city?

Durham and Raleigh both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

Durham is generally not very walkable. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

Raleigh is generally not a very walkable city. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Raleigh Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Raleigh or Durham?

How long in Durham or Raleigh?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Durham and Raleigh. In our opinion, Durham has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Durham than Raleigh. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 2-3 days is enough time in Raleigh.

Families should spend more time in Durham than Raleigh. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Durham, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Durham than Raleigh. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Durham that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Raleigh if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Durham.

One day in Durham or Raleigh?

In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Raleigh. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Raleigh?

In Durham, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Durham has to offer.

Raleigh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Raleigh?

Durham is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Raleigh. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Raleigh?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the southern destination of Raleigh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Raleigh, we can see that Raleigh 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 Raleigh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Raleigh than you might in Durham.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Durham Expensive? and Is Raleigh Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Durham or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Raleigh, 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Durham or Raleigh?

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 Raleigh in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Raleigh. Most visitors come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Durham is around the same temperature as Raleigh in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Raleigh fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh 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 Raleigh during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Raleigh. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Raleigh in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as Raleigh. The autumn months attract visitors to Durham because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.

In the autumn, Durham is around the same temperature as Raleigh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Raleigh averages at about 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In the autumn, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Raleigh. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 211 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Raleigh. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Raleigh in the Winter?

Both Raleigh and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Raleigh. It's quite cold in Durham in the winter. In January, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Durham usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Raleigh during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Raleigh. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Raleigh in the Spring?

Both Raleigh and Durham during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Raleigh in the spring for the activities around the city.

Durham is around the same temperature as Raleigh in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Raleigh fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the spring, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Raleigh. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 251 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Raleigh. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Raleigh and Durham