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

Should you visit Saint Louis or Columbia?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Columbia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint Louis

Saint Louis is a unexpected, fascinating, and under rated city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Columbia

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

Saint Louis and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Louis or Columbia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Louis than Columbia. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Saint Louis is more touristy than Columbia and is known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West. It is also well known for the Gateway Arch. Columbia is famous for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Saint Louis different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Louis is renowned for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Saint Louis are among the most recognizable in the world. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.

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 Louis or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Louis is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Saint Louis. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.

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 Louis or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Saint Louis and Columbia.

Saint Louis has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.

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 the Shopping Better in Saint Louis or Columbia?

Saint Louis 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 Louis is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.

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 Louis or Columbia Better for Families?

Saint Louis 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 Louis is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.

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 Louis or Columbia Better for Couples?

Saint Louis is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.

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 Louis or Columbia Better for Students?

Columbia is a good destination for students. However, Saint Louis 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 Louis is not popular with students.

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

Saint Louis is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Saint Louis can get you to some places easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.

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 Louis or Columbia a more walkable city?

Saint Louis is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.

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 Louis Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Saint Louis?

How long in Saint Louis or Columbia?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Louis 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 Louis.

One day in Saint Louis or Columbia?

The city of Saint Louis offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Columbia. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Saint Louis or Columbia?

Saint Louis is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Saint Louis, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Columbia. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Saint Louis or Columbia?

Saint Louis is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

The friendly city of Columbia offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Saint Louis or Columbia?

Saint Louis is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 nightlife and shopping when visiting Columbia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Columbia, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis 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 Louis Expensive? and Is Columbia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Columbia?

Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis 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 Louis 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 Louis or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Columbia. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Louis this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Louis in July average around 81°F (27°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 Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Columbia. Many travelers come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Columbia in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Saint Louis is generally cooler than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 60°F (16°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 Louis this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Saint Louis usually gets less rain in October than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint Louis can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Louis is much colder than Columbia in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 31°F (-1°C) in January, and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Louis or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Saint Louis is cooler than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Louis in April average around 58°F (15°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 Louis. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Saint Louis