A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Roanoke vs. Hope for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Roanoke or Hope?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Roanoke or Hope? 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: Roanoke or Hope?

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Hope

Hope, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a small town in the far east of the Fraser Valley. It's at the cross section of several major highways making it a pass through point for many visitors to the area. Hope is also the location of the filming of the 1980's film Rambo: First Blood, a fact which many locals take much pride in.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Hope or Roanoke?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Roanoke is $164, while the average daily cost in Hope is $31. 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 Roanoke and Hope in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roanoke $96
    Hope $8.89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roanoke $192
    Hope $18
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Hope

Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Hope? 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.

Hotels in Roanoke


Hotels in Hope


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: Roanoke Hotel Prices and Hope Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roanoke $23
    Hope -

Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Hope?

Prices for flights to both Hope and Roanoke 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Roanoke $48
    Hope $22

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke

For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roanoke $35
    Hope -

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
  • Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
  • Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
  • Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92

Tours and Activities in Hope

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hope.

  • Vancouver to Sun Peaks 2 days outdoor adventure tour: $1,242

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roanoke $30
    Hope $10


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Hope, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Roanoke would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roanoke than you might in Hope.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roanoke Expensive? and Is Hope Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Hope?

Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Hope, 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 Roanoke or Hope?

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.

Should I visit Roanoke or Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

In the summer, Roanoke is a little warmer than Hope. Typically, the summer temperatures in Roanoke in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Hope averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Roanoke. In July, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Hope. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C) 
    Hope 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Roanoke during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 60°F (16°C), and Hope fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Roanoke usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C) 
    Hope 10°C (51°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Hope. Many visitors come to Roanoke in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hope can be very cold during winter. Roanoke can get quite cold in the winter. Roanoke is a little warmer than Hope in the winter. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 38°F (3°C) in January, and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Hope. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C) 
    Hope 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Roanoke or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Hope.

In the spring, Roanoke is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the spring temperatures in Roanoke in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Hope averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Roanoke usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C) 
    Hope 9°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Hope and Roanoke

Roanoke Hope
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 3°C (37°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Feb 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 5°C (41°F) 164 mm (6.4 in)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 7°C (44°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 9°C (49°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 12°C (54°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm) 15°C (60°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 15°C (59°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 10°C (51°F) 156 mm (6.1 in)
Nov 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 6°C (43°F) 222 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 3°C (37°F) 217 mm (8.5 in)