Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Miami?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Miami vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Miami or Columbia?
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 Miami and Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMiami $165Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $165, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 Miami and Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMiami $106Columbia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMiami $212Columbia $0.00
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Miami $32Columbia -
Typical Local Transportation prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
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Car Rental for a Day$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
- Transfers to Port of Miami: $28
- Luxury Airport Transfer from Miami International Airport: $33
- Private Departure Transfer: Miami City or Miami Beach to Miami Airport: $37
- Private Arrival Transfer: MIA Miami Airport to Miami City or Miami Beach: $37
- Miami Airport Transfer To Miami Area: $40
- Private Airport Transfer: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Miami: $41
- Private Airport Transfer: from Miami to Miami International Airport (MIA): $41
- Miami Private Airport Transfer: $44
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Downtown to Miami Airport: $46
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport to Miami Downtown: $46
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport to Miami Beach: $46
- Private Miami International Airport (MIA) Transfer: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Columbia?
Prices for flights to both Columbia and Miami 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 dayMiami $33Columbia $4.02
Typical Food prices in Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
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Lunch with Drinks (for 2)$45
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David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
- Little Havana Street Food Tours: $61
- Haitian Cooking Experience: $85
- Private Little Havana Cuban Food Tour: $99
- Private VIP Historical Citywide Food Tour: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Miami $25Columbia -
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1/2 Hour Jet Ski Island Adventure: $5.00
- Haunted Themed Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $7.84
- Miami Dance Cruise: $11
- Little Havana: Beyond Cuba Tour: $20
- La Perle de Little Haiti Tour: $20
- La Perle De Little Haiti Tour: $20
- Pirates Adventures Sightseeing Tour from Miami: $23
- Miami Skyline View Cruise: $23
- Skip the Line: Zoo Miami Ticket with Optional Upgrade: $25
- Biscayne Bay Boat Tour in Miami: $25
- Best of Little Havana Miami Tour: $25
- Sightseeing Cruise of Biscayne Bay: $27
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMiami $18Columbia $70
Typical Alcohol prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
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Evening at a Bar$32
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
- Making Your Own Gin Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $190
Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia
Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Columbia, we can see that Miami is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami than you might in Columbia.
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