Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas? 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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 $189Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Saint Thomas? 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 $37Saint Thomas $37
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: $118
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $57Saint Thomas $54
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 Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Raleigh $37Saint Thomas $60
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: $33
- 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
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Saint Thomas Half-Day Shopping and Sightseeing Tour: $55
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRaleigh $27Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Raleigh and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Saint Thomas?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Raleigh has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Raleigh is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Saint Thomas. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Raleigh is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Raleigh. Raleigh is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Raleigh usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the spring for the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Raleigh is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.