Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRaleigh $189Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, while the average daily cost in Vancouver 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37Vancouver $12
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 Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $163
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Canada Place Cruise Port to Vancouver hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $186
- Canada Place Cruise Port: Transfer to Vancouver hotels: $425
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $133
- Maximize Your Cruise Adventure: Vancouver Tour & Transfer: $292
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $93
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $57Vancouver $31
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 Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Raleigh $37Vancouver $36
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 Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRaleigh $27Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and Vancouver, we can see that Raleigh is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Raleigh Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Raleigh is a little warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Vancouver. The autumn months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city's sights and attractions.
In October, Raleigh is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Vancouver. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vancouver. It's quite cold in Raleigh in the winter. Raleigh is around the same temperature as Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Raleigh often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Raleigh usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Raleigh or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Raleigh is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.