Which place is cheaper, Maine or North Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Carolina or Maine?
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 North Carolina and Maine can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: North Carolina or Maine?
North Carolina
North Carolina is a diverse state in the southern United States. The state has a variety of landscapes, with mountains, forests, and beaches all represented. The state's elevation ranges from sea level to 6,684 feet on Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi. There are large cosmopolitan cities like Charlotte, and there are quaint college towns like Chapel Hill. North Carolina is the nineth most populous state in the country and the economy is currently centered around engineering, energy, biotechnology, and finance. Historically, the state's economy developed from the tobacco, textile, and furniture making industries.
Maine
The U.S. state of Maine is situated in the northeastern most region of the country. While it is known for its rugged rocky coastline and maritime history, the state also has a landscape of rolling mountains carpeted in thick pine forests, with many peaceful lakes popular with visitors seeking a close to nature kind of getaway. The capital city is Augusta, though the most populous is Portland, which has much to offer in sightseeing attractions and activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Carolina $185Maine $207
The average daily cost (per person) in North Carolina is $185, while the average daily cost in Maine is $207. 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 North Carolina and Maine in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Carolina $112Maine $107
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Carolina $224Maine $214
Compare Hotels in North Carolina and Maine
Looking for a hotel in North Carolina or Maine? 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.North Carolina $36Maine $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maine
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maine:
- Private Transfer from Portland Port to Portland Jetport (PWM): $41
- Private Transfer from Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Portland Cruise Port to Portland city: $41
- Private Transfer from Portland city to Portland Cruise Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $68
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $68
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
- Portland to Portland Jetport (PWM) - Departure Private Transfer: $81
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into North Carolina or Maine?
Prices for flights to both Maine and North Carolina 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 dayNorth Carolina $45Maine $51
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Carolina $25Maine $33
Tours and Activities in Maine
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Maine are as follows:
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $6.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Portland by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Portland by Wacky Walks: $10
- Acadia: Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $13
- Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $15
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Portland Maine Tours: $17
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Carolina $29Maine $23
When comparing the travel costs between North Carolina and Maine, we can see that Maine 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 North Carolina Expensive? and Is Maine Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, North Carolina or Maine?
North Carolina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Maine. When comparing the sizes of North Carolina and Maine, 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.