A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Augustine vs. Columbia for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Augustine or Columbia?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Columbia, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a notable, colonial, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Columbia

Columbia is a suburban, friendly, and welcoming city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Saint Augustine and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Saint Augustine and Columbia are popular destinations, Saint Augustine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Augustine is more touristy than Columbia and is known for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Saint Augustine different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia and Saint Augustine. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Saint Augustine offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Saint Augustine or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Saint Augustine. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Saint Augustine or Columbia has a better nightlife scene.

Saint Augustine has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

If you're looking for night time activities Columbia has a few options to choose from. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Beaches?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for the beache. However, Columbia is not a beach destination.

Saint Augustine is considered a top beach destination. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Columbia is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is renowned for its old town. However, Columbia does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Saint Augustine is one of the most recognized in the world. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Columbia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Saint Augustine is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Columbia has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Families?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Augustine is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Columbia is a family-friendly city. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Students?

Columbia is a nice place to visit for students. However, Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Columbia is popular with students. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Saint Augustine is not popular with students.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Saint Augustine and Columbia.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Saint Augustine or Columbia a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Columbia is not a very walkable city. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Saint Augustine?

How long in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint Augustine or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Saint Augustine than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Augustine, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Augustine, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Columbia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Augustine.

One day in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

The city of Saint Augustine offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

The suburban destination of Columbia offers shopping and museums. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Saint Augustine is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The city of Columbia offers museums and nightlife. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Saint Augustine is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Columbia is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting Columbia. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Columbia?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine and Columbia, 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 Saint Augustine or Columbia?

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 Saint Augustine or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Columbia. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Augustine in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Columbia. Most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene.

In October, Saint Augustine is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 70°F (21°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

Saint Augustine is much warmer than Columbia in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Augustine or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the spring, Saint Augustine is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Augustine in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Columbia. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Saint Augustine