Which place is cheaper, Virginia or North Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit North Carolina or Virginia?
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 Virginia can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: North Carolina or Virginia?
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.
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 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 $185Virginia $161
The average daily cost (per person) in North Carolina is $185, 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 North Carolina and Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Carolina $112Virginia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Carolina $224Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in North Carolina and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in North Carolina 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.North Carolina $36Virginia $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 North Carolina or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia 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 $45Virginia $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.North Carolina $25Virginia $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 dayNorth Carolina $29Virginia $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 comparing the travel costs between North Carolina and Virginia, we can see that North Carolina 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 Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, North Carolina or Virginia?
North Carolina has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Virginia. When comparing the sizes of North Carolina 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.