A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durham vs. Vernon for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Durham or Vernon?

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

Where Should I go: Durham or Vernon?

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.

Vernon

Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Vernon, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Vernon.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Vernon?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Vernon. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Vernon, 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 Vernon?

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 Vernon in the Summer?

Both Vernon and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Durham this time of year.

Durham is a little warmer than Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Vernon. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Vernon in the Autumn?

Both Vernon and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Durham is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Durham usually gets more rain in October than Vernon. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Vernon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Vernon. Many visitors come to Durham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vernon can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Vernon. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Vernon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Vernon.

Durham is a little warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Vernon. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Vernon and Durham