A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Miami vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

Where Should I go: Miami or Columbia?

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.

Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Miami?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $164, 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Miami $105
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Miami $210
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Miami and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Miami or Columbia? 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.

Hotels in Miami


Hotels in Columbia


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: Miami Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Miami $30
    Columbia -
Typical Local Transportation prices in Miami

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:


  • 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Miami $33
    Columbia $4.02
Typical Food prices in Miami

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:


  • Lunch with Drinks (for 2)
    $45
  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Miami $25
    Columbia -

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Miami $18
    Columbia $70
Typical Alcohol prices in Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:


  • 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

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Miami or Columbia?

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 Miami or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Columbia. Most visitors come to Miami for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Miami is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Miami in July are around 83°F (28°C), and Columbia is about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Miami usually receives more rain than Columbia. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Miami 83°F (28°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Miami or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Miami as well as Columbia. The autumn months attract visitors to Miami because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Miami is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Miami average around 78°F (26°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the autumn, Miami often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Miami usually gets more rain in October than Columbia. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Miami 78°F (26°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Miami or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Miami this time of year.

Miami is much warmer than Columbia in the winter. The temperature in Miami is usually 67°F (20°C) in January, and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Miami usually receives less rain than Columbia. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Miami 67°F (20°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Miami or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Miami during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Miami for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Miami is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Miami in April are around 75°F (24°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Miami. In the spring, Miami often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Miami usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Miami 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Miami

Miami Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (20°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 72°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 79°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Miami
Washington vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Miami
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Miami
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Miami
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Miami
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Orlando
Miami vs. Saint Petersburg
Miami vs. Tallahassee
Miami vs. Tampa
Miami vs. Atlanta
Miami vs. Savannah
Miami vs. New Orleans
Miami vs. Baltimore
Miami vs. Kansas City
Miami vs. Saint Louis
Miami vs. Asheville
Miami vs. Charlotte
Miami vs. Durham
Miami vs. Greensboro
Miami vs. Raleigh
Miami vs. Winston-Salem
Miami vs. Cincinnati
Miami vs. Columbus
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Miami vs. Columbia Travel Comparison

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.