Which place is cheaper, Ponce or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Ponce?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh or Ponce? 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 Ponce?
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.
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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 dayRaleigh $189Ponce $205
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, while the average daily cost in Ponce is $205. 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 Ponce in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Ponce $151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Ponce $302
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Ponce
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Ponce? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37Ponce $10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- 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 - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $118
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $279
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to Rio Grande hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Airport (SJU) to San Juan hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Ponce?
Prices for flights to both Ponce 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 $57Ponce $35
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Food Tour : $130
- Private San Juan Cooking Class with a Local Expert: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Raleigh $37Ponce $56
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
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
- Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $16
- Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
- Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $16
- True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $33
- Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Talking Buildings of Old San Juan: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Footsteps in San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Old San Juan Tour (1 Hour) by DUHO: $25
- Salsa Tours PR Sunset Salsa Beach Class in San Juan, Puerto Rico : $29
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Guided City Walking Tour: $32
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Bio Bay Boat Tour with Swimming from La Parguera, Puerto Rico: $50
- Turtle spotting snorkeling adventure- no Jets : $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRaleigh $27Ponce $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Rum Distillery and Old San Juan Tour: $99
When comparing the travel costs between Raleigh and Ponce, we can see that Ponce 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. Even though Raleigh is in North America and Ponce is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Raleigh Expensive? and Is Ponce Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Ponce?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Ponce. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Ponce, 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 Ponce?
Raleigh has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ponce experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Raleigh or Ponce in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Ponce. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Raleigh is generally around the same temperature as Ponce. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 79°F (26°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ponce this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during summer. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 287 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 Ponce. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Ponce 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Ponce in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Ponce. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year.
Raleigh is much colder than Ponce in the autumn. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Ponce fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ponce. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In the autumn, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 235 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ponce. Raleigh usually gets less rain in October than Ponce. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Ponce 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Ponce in the Winter?
Both Ponce and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the museums and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The weather in Raleigh can be very cold. In the winter, Raleigh is much colder than Ponce. Typically, the winter temperatures in Raleigh in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Ponce averages at about 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Ponce. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Ponce during winter. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Ponce receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Ponce. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Ponce 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Ponce in the Spring?
Both Ponce and Raleigh during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round.
In April, Raleigh is generally much colder than Ponce. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 60°F (16°C), and Ponce fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Ponce, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the spring, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Ponce. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ponce receives 272 hours of full sun.
Raleigh usually gets more rain in April than Ponce. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Ponce receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Ponce 26°C (79°F)
Typical Weather for Ponce and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Ponce | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.