Which place is cheaper, Virginia or Michigan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Michigan or Virginia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Michigan and Virginia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Michigan or Virginia?
Michigan
Surrounded by four of the five great lakes, the U.S. state of Michigan consists of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is the portion shaped like a mitten and is a center of manufacturing and high-tech industry. It is also home to the country's three major automobile companies-General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-whose headquarters are in the Detroit metropolitan area. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. In contrast, the Upper Peninsula is sparsely populated and is economically important for its status as a tourist destination and its abundance of natural resources.
Virginia
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMichigan $120Virginia $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Michigan is $120, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $161. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Michigan and Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMichigan $63Virginia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMichigan $126Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in Michigan and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in Michigan or Virginia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Michigan $30Virginia $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $180
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $188
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $195
- Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $200
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Michigan or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia and Michigan 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 dayMichigan $36Virginia $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond: $80
- Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA: $80
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond: $85
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $90
- Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $101
- Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $126
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
- Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
- Norfolk Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise: $162
- Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Michigan $18Virginia $24
Tours and Activities in Virginia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:
- Historical Fredericksburg SmartPhone App Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Shenandoah: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Williamsburg West Tour: $15
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMichigan $20Virginia $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $74
- Drink Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl: $74
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Michigan and Virginia, we can see that Virginia is more expensive. And not only is Michigan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Michigan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Michigan 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 Virginia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Virginia than you might in Michigan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Michigan Expensive? and Is Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Michigan or Virginia?
Michigan has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Virginia. When comparing the sizes of Michigan and Virginia, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.