A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nags Head vs. Fairfield for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nags Head or Fairfield?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Nags Head or Fairfield? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Nags Head or Fairfield?

Nags Head

Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Nags Head?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Nags Head and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or Fairfield? 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 Nags Head


Hotels in Fairfield


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: Nags Head Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nags Head $40
    Fairfield -

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Nags Head 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
    Nags Head $41
    Fairfield $30

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Fairfield $13

Tours and Activities in Nags Head

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.

  • 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $57
  • Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Cape Hatteras National Seashore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
  • Corolla Kayak Adventure: $59
  • Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
  • Manteo Historic Walking Tour: $28
  • OBX Ghost Tours: $25
  • Outer Banks Audio Driving Tour: $13
  • Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
  • Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nags Head $12
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


When comparing the travel costs between Nags Head and Fairfield, we can see that Nags Head is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Fairfield?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Fairfield, 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 Nags Head or Fairfield?

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 Nags Head or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nags Head in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Nags Head is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Fairfield in the Autumn?

Both Fairfield and Nags Head during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Nags Head is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to Nags Head because of the cuisine.

The weather in Nags Head can be very cold. In January, Nags Head is generally much colder than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Fairfield during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Nags Head or Fairfield in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Fairfield.

Nags Head is around the same temperature as Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the spring, Nags Head often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.

Nags Head usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Nags Head

Nags Head Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)