Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Fairfield?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh 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: Raleigh or Fairfield?
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRaleigh $189Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, 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 Raleigh and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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.
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 Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $117
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield 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
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Food Meals for one dayRaleigh $57Fairfield $30
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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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 Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Raleigh $37Fairfield $13
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Create Your Own Lipstick or Lip Gloss Class Experience in Raleigh: $60
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $16
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
- Private Pedicab Tour of Downtown Raleigh: $60
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $16
- Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
- Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $30
- Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
- Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRaleigh $27Fairfield -
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and Fairfield, we can see that Raleigh is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Raleigh Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Fairfield?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Fairfield?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Raleigh or Fairfield in the Summer?
Both Fairfield and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Raleigh is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Fairfield in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions during these months.
In October, Raleigh is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Fairfield in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the museums and the cuisine.
The weather in Raleigh can be very cold. Raleigh is much colder than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
In the winter, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.
Raleigh usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Fairfield in the Spring?
Both Fairfield and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
In the spring, Raleigh is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
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.