A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nags Head vs. Hope for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nags Head or Hope?

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

Should I visit Nags Head or Hope? 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 Hope?

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.

Hope

Hope, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a small town in the far east of the Fraser Valley. It's at the cross section of several major highways making it a pass through point for many visitors to the area. Hope is also the location of the filming of the 1980's film Rambo: First Blood, a fact which many locals take much pride in.

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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope 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 Hope is $31. 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 Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nags Head $80
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nags Head $160
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Nags Head and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or Hope? 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 Hope


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 Hope Hotel Prices.

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Nags Head or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope 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
    Hope $22

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nags Head $14
    Hope -

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

Tours and Activities in Hope

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

  • Vancouver to Sun Peaks 2 days outdoor adventure tour: $1,242

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nags Head $12
    Hope $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Hope, we can see that Nags Head is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Nags Head would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nags Head than you might in Hope.

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 Hope Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nags Head or Hope?

Hope has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Nags Head and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Hope in the Summer?

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

Nags Head is a little warmer than Hope in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives more rain than Hope. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Nags Head 78°F (26°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Hope in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Nags Head is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nags Head usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Nags Head 62°F (16°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Hope. Many visitors come to Nags Head in the winter for the cuisine.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Nags Head can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nags Head is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Hope. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Nags Head 41°F (5°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Nags Head or Hope in the Spring?

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

Nags Head is much warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Nags Head usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Nags Head 59°F (15°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Nags Head

Nags Head Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)