Which place is cheaper, Ketchikan or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Raleigh or Ketchikan? 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 is a suburban-style, friendly, and southern city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.
Ketchikan is a quaint, local, and scenic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and food.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Ketchikan than Raleigh, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Ketchikan is better known for its food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Raleigh is more popular for its nightlife and big city activities. Ketchikan is more touristy than Raleigh and is known for its salmon fishing, beautiful natural environment, and strong sense of local culture. Also, Ketchikan is famous for the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. Raleigh is well known for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ketchikan and Raleigh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Raleigh or Ketchikan.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Raleigh. 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.
Ketchikan is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a few local museums in town such as the Tongass Historical Museum and the Totem Heritage Center.
Ketchikan is very popular for its restaurant scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
For foodies, Ketchikan is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It's known as the salmon capital of the world for good reason. You can expect some of the freshest seafood around with many local restaurants serving up fresh Dungeness Crab, Alaska King Crab, and Alaskan King Salmon. It's a huge fishing destination and the cuisine reflects that, but even if you're looking for a landlover's menu, you'll find a number of good dishes.
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.
Raleigh is very good for nightlife. However, Ketchikan is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Raleigh. 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.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Ketchikan. Because most visitors arrive by cruise ship, there's a more local vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll find a few local bars around town where you can enjoy a drink and good conversation.
Ketchikan is very popular for its hiking experiences. However, Raleigh is not a hiking destination.
People visit Ketchikan specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. You'll find many hikes that will take you through the local vegetation or to impressive viewpoints. Some hikes involve challenging climbs while others are more relaxing. Some visitors prefer to hire a guide to the lead them through the Alaskan wilderness, but the most popular and easier trails are usually well marked.
Raleigh is not a hiking destination.
Ketchikan is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Many visitors go to Ketchikan to go shopping. As tourism has grown, the shopping in downtown Ketchikan has shifted from locally-oriented venders to jewelry and souvenir stores. Many shops are only open during the summer months, and you'll find the more local shops outside of town.
Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Ketchikan is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Ketchikan is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are a number of kid-friendly activities and tours, but do note that many tours book up fully with cruise ship passengers. Any tours you wish to do should be arranged well in advance. Popular kid-friendly activities include the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, Misty Fjords, and a visit to Totem Bight State Historical Park. Everyone will enjoy learning about the area's history and nature at the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center. And anyone who enjoys the show "The Most Dangerous Catch" will appreciate the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour.
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.
Ketchikan is well known for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.
Couples visit Ketchikan frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy natural beauty, hiking, and wildlife will appreciate their time here. There are many opportunities for fishing and a plethora of seafood restaurants in the area that take advantage of this past time.
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.
Ketchikan is a popular place for backpackers. However, Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Ketchikan. While most visitors arrive by cruise ship, for those travel independently will appreciate the hostel in town.
Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Raleigh is notable for students. However, Ketchikan is not popular with students.
Raleigh is very popular with students. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.
Ketchikan is not popular with students.
Ketchikan is a town with a few options for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit is generally limited in Ketchikan. There are buses that travel through town.
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.
Ketchikan is well known for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.
Ketchikan is a very walkable destination. The downtown is relatively compact and walkable.
Raleigh is generally not a very walkable city. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Raleigh Worth Visiting? and Is Ketchikan Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Raleigh and Ketchikan. In our opinion, Ketchikan has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Ketchikan than Raleigh. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Raleigh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Ketchikan.
Families should spend more time in Ketchikan than Raleigh. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Ketchikan, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Ketchikan than Raleigh. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Ketchikan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan.
You'll find food and museums around the city of Raleigh. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
In Ketchikan, you'll find museums and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the southern destination of Raleigh. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Ketchikan, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Ketchikan has to offer.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly city of Raleigh. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Ketchikan is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.
Raleigh is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ketchikan. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Ketchikan. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
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.
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 Ketchikan is $220. 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 Ketchikan in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Ketchikan? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
Prices for flights to both Ketchikan 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and Ketchikan, we can see that Ketchikan is more expensive. And not only is Raleigh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Raleigh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Raleigh 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan than you might in Raleigh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Raleigh Expensive? and Is Ketchikan Expensive?.
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Ketchikan, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Ketchikan. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ketchikan for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Raleigh is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 58°F (15°C).
Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Raleigh gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Ketchikan. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions. Also, many visitors come to Ketchikan in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Ketchikan. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Ketchikan fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. Raleigh usually gets less rain in October than Ketchikan. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ketchikan can be very cold during winter. Raleigh can get quite cold in the winter. Raleigh is much warmer than Ketchikan in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Ketchikan fluctuates around 34°F (1°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. In January, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Ketchikan. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Ketchikan and Raleigh during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the activities around the city during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Raleigh is much warmer than Ketchikan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Ketchikan averages at about 44°F (6°C).
Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Raleigh usually gets less rain in April than Ketchikan. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ketchikan receives 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Raleigh | Ketchikan | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) |
Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) |
Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) |
May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) |
Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) |
Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) |
Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) |
Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 mm) |