A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Chapel Hill for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a collegiate, southern, and student-oriented town. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Chapel Hill, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Petersburg is better known for its food, resorts, and beaches, while Chapel Hill is more popular for its nightlife. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Chapel Hill and is popular for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Chapel Hill is well known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Chapel Hill can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Saint Petersburg is an experience not to be missed. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is great for nightlife. Also, Saint Petersburg is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Chapel Hill for the nightlife scene. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a popular place for its resorts. However, Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Chapel Hill is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is very popular for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Saint Petersburg. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill both offer plenty of notable spots.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Chapel Hill offers some nice shopping areas. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Saint Petersburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Chapel Hill offers lots of family activities. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is well known for couples. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Saint Petersburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Chapel Hill. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chapel Hill is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Chapel Hill offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Is Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill is very good for its walkability. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for its high level of walkability.

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in Chapel Hill. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chapel Hill.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Saint Petersburg 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 Chapel Hill.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the underrated coastal city of Saint Petersburg. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people visit for the beaches. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the southern destination of Chapel Hill. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the underrated destination of Saint Petersburg. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This coastal 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the student-oriented town of Chapel Hill. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

The underrated coastal city of Saint Petersburg offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

Chapel Hill is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Petersburg. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Chapel Hill is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill, 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 Petersburg or Chapel Hill?

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 Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Chapel Hill. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

Both Chapel Hill and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chapel Hill. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 40°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Chapel Hill. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Saint Petersburg