A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Raleigh vs. Dallas for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Raleigh or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Dallas? 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.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a suburban-style, friendly, and southern city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a chic, active, and upscale city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Raleigh and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Public transit not as usable
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for students


Is there more to do in Raleigh or Dallas?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dallas than Raleigh, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Raleigh is popular for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University. Dallas is popular for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. It is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Raleigh different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas and Raleigh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Raleigh or Dallas?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Dallas offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.


Is the Food Better in Raleigh or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Dallas is an experience not to be missed. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Raleigh. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

Is Raleigh or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Dallas is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Is the Shopping Better in Raleigh or Dallas?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Raleigh or Dallas Better for Families?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Raleigh offers lots of family activities. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Raleigh or Dallas Better for Couples?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is well known for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

Is Raleigh or Dallas Better for Students?

Raleigh
Dallas

Raleigh is a well-known place for students. However, Dallas is not a good city for its student-friendly activities.

Raleigh is very popular with students. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

Dallas is a decent spot for students. There are a couple of universities and colleges in the area that keep things interesting for students.


Is Raleigh or Dallas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Raleigh
Dallas

Dallas is a popular place for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dallas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Raleigh or Dallas a more walkable city?

Raleigh
Dallas

Raleigh and Dallas both are decent when exploring on foot.

Raleigh is generally not very walkable. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Raleigh Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Raleigh?

How long in Raleigh or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Raleigh or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Raleigh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

Families should spend more time in Dallas than Raleigh. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dallas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dallas than Raleigh. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dallas that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dallas than Raleigh if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dallas.


  • How many days in Raleigh or Dallas? Ideal Length of Stay
    Raleigh 2-3 
    Dallas 2-4

One day in Raleigh or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Raleigh. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Dallas, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.


A weekend in Raleigh or Dallas?

Raleigh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Dallas, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dallas has to offer.

Five days in Raleigh or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Raleigh. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Raleigh or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the suburban-style destination of Raleigh. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dallas. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dallas. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.


Which place is cheaper, Dallas or Raleigh?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $141. 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 Raleigh and Dallas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Raleigh $104
    Dallas $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Raleigh $208
    Dallas $168
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Dallas

Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Dallas? 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 Raleigh


Hotels in Dallas


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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Dallas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Dallas $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $83
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $135
  • Dallas Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Plano or Allen - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $206
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Dallas to Dallas Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Dallas to Dallas Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Departure Private Transfer Dowtown Dallas to Dallas Airport DAL Luxury Vehicle: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Dallas?

Prices for flights to both Dallas and Raleigh 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
    Raleigh $57
    Dallas $35
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:


  • The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)
    $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.

  • Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104

Typical Food Prices in Dallas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.

  • West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
  • Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
  • Discover Downtown Dallas Food Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • JFK Food & Culture Walking Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Dallas $13

Tours and Activities in Raleigh

Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Durham by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Raleigh African American History Tour: $13
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
  • Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
  • True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
  • Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
  • Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $30
  • Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Trolley Pub Public Tour of Raleigh: $45

Tours and Activities in Dallas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:

  • Historic Downtown Audio Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Kennedy Assassination Walking Tour - Oswald Was Framed: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
  • Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Plano by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Irving by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • John F. Kennedy Trolley Tour in Dallas: $22
  • Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket: $25
  • Historic West End Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine Admission Ticket: $27
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour : $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Raleigh $27
    Dallas $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
  • Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55


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

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


Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Dallas, 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 Raleigh or Dallas?

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 Raleigh or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Dallas. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Raleigh is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 79°F (26°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

Raleigh gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Dallas. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Raleigh 79°F (26°C) 
    Dallas 88°F (31°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Dallas. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions. Additionally, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Raleigh is cooler than Dallas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Dallas fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In the autumn, Raleigh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Raleigh 61°F (16°C) 
    Dallas 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Raleigh can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Raleigh is much colder than Dallas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Raleigh in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Dallas averages at about 46°F (8°C).

Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Dallas. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Raleigh 40°F (5°C) 
    Dallas 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Raleigh during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

In April, Raleigh is generally cooler than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 60°F (16°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the spring, Raleigh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Raleigh 60°F (16°C) 
    Dallas 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Dallas and Raleigh

Raleigh Dallas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)