Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Roanoke?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Roanoke or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Roanoke or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRoanoke $164Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Roanoke is $164, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRoanoke $96Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRoanoke $192Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Roanoke and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Roanoke or Niagara Falls? 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: Roanoke Hotel Prices and Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Roanoke $23Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo Niagara Airport to Holiday Valley - Round-Trip Transfer: $263
- Round-Trip Private-Safe Transfer Between Buffalo Airport & Niagara Falls Canada: $262
- ROUNDTRIP Ground Transfer Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF)-Niagara Falls Canada: $207
- Private Half Day Niagara Wine Tour Visit with Transfer Included: $200
- Private Transfer: Niagara Falls, ON to Toronto downtown: $197
- Departure Private Transfer: Niagara Falls to Toronto Airport YYZ in Luxury SUV: $195
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $194
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $178
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Niagara Falls Ontario to Toronto (YYZ) Airport: $159
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls, New York: $138
Is it cheaper to fly into Roanoke or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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
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Food Meals for one dayRoanoke $48Niagara Falls $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Roanoke $35Niagara Falls $20
Tours and Activities in Roanoke
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia) Driving Tour with Audio Guide: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway – Driving Audio Tour (Roanoke ↔ Afton): $12
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Roanoke Downtown Food and Cultural Tour: $78
- Roanoke Holiday Season E-Bike Tour: $92
- 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
- Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds Made in America Tour: $92
- Niagara Falls USA Winter Tour Cave, Tower, winery & Much More : $90
- Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Winery Tour from Buffalo,NY: $298
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $45
- 30 Minute Niagara Falls Airplane Tour: $156
- 45 Minutes Whirlpool Tour in Niagara Falls: $32
- 7 Hour Niagara Falls USA Tour from Buffalo: $269
- All American Tour : $99
- All Attractions Niagara Falls American Tour with Boat Much More: $120
- All Inclusive Niagara Falls USA Tour W/Boat Ride,Cave & Much MORE: $126
- All Niagara Falls USA Tour Maid of Mist Boat & So Much More : $130
- All inclusive Niagara Evening Light Show, Boat Ride & Cave Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRoanoke $30Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Niagara Falls, we can see that Roanoke is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roanoke Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Roanoke or Niagara Falls?
Roanoke has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Roanoke and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?
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 Roanoke or Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls and Roanoke during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Roanoke is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
In Niagara Falls, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Roanoke. In the summer, Roanoke often gets less sunshine than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 306 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually gets more rain in July than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRoanoke 79°F (26°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Niagara Falls. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.
Roanoke is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during autumn. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 148 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRoanoke 60°F (16°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Niagara Falls. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. In the winter, Roanoke is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about -4°C (26°F).
In the winter, Roanoke often gets more sunshine than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Niagara Falls receives 89 hours of full sun.
Roanoke usually gets more rain in January than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRoanoke 38°F (3°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Roanoke or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
Both Niagara Falls and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Roanoke is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
It's quite sunny in Niagara Falls. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually receives more sunshine than Niagara Falls during spring. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Niagara Falls receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRoanoke 59°F (15°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Roanoke
| Roanoke | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 38°F (3°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.