Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Savannah?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Savannah or Charlotte? 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.
Savannah is a scenic, historic, and beautiful city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches.
Charlotte is a up-and-coming, growing, and evolving city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
You'll generally find more things to do in Charlotte than Savannah. Charlotte is bigger than Savannah, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Charlotte is better known for its nightlife and big city activities, while Savannah is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Savannah is more touristy than Charlotte and is popular for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. Charlotte is well known for its banking industry and growing Uptown area. Also, Charlotte is famous for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlotte and Savannah. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Savannah is great for its historical sights. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
Many visitors head to Savannah specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.
Charlotte is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Mint Museum is a popular place to visit, as is the Gantt Center for African American Arts. Art enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art and sports enthusiasts will enjoy a stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Savannah is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Savannah has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.
Charlotte offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The food scene continues to grow and change around town. You'll find the latest trendy restaurant changes regularly, but dishes often include upscale southern faire or classic American. There are also many international restaurants, particularly Mexican, Thai, and Chinese.
Charlotte is a popular place for nightlife. However, Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlotte. Head Uptown for some of the best nightlife. The city has many bars and clubs that keep things fun late into the night.
Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.
Savannah is very good for the beach. However, Charlotte is not a beach destination.
Many people head to Savannah to enjoy the beach. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.
Charlotte is not a beach destination.
Savannah is great for its historic old town charm. However, Charlotte does not have a historic old town.
There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Savannah. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.
Charlotte does not have a historic old town.
Savannah is great for its shopping areas. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Savannah. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.
Charlotte is a great destination for shopping. Shopping malls such as SouthPark Mall or Carolina Place offer all of the standard retailers. Concord Mills is another favorite mall in the area. Aside from the malls, there is no shortage of shopping centers around town.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Savannah or Charlotte.
Savannah is a family-friendly place to visit. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.
Charlotte is a family-friendly city. There are a number of museums for kids, with one of the best being Discovery Place. It has many hands-on science based exhibits that kids will love. Another unique experience is a visit to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Carowinds Amusement Park is also in the area as are many great parks, playgrounds, and natural areas.
Savannah is great for couples. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Savannah is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.
Charlotte is a nice destination for couples. There are a number of date night activities around town, particularly Uptown. You can see a show or concert at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center or hit up one of the trendy bars or restaurants. There are also sporting events and other festivals that are fun to experience.
Savannah is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlotte is not a good destination for backpackers.
Savannah is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.
Charlotte is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While it's not a backpacker destination, there are some cheaper motels that budget travelers can stay at.
Savannah and Charlotte are both notable destinations for students and younger travelers.
Savannah is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Plenty of students visit Charlotte. There are a number of smaller colleges in town, but the biggest university is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Charlotte is a popular place for its public transit. However, Savannah is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.
Charlotte has a few public transit options. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
Public transit is mostly limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.
Savannah is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Charlotte is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.
Savannah is a very walkable destination. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.
Charlotte is somewhat walkable. The Uptown area is the most walkable part of the city.
For even more information, also check out Is Savannah Worth Visiting? and Is Charlotte Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Savannah and Charlotte. In our opinion, Savannah has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Savannah than Charlotte. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Savannah than Charlotte. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Savannah, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Charlotte. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Savannah that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Charlotte 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 Savannah.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Savannah. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Savannah has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The city of Charlotte 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.
You'll find museums and food around the beautiful destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Charlotte 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 Charlotte, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the scenic city of Savannah. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Charlotte 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.
Savannah is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Charlotte is a great place to explore. 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Savannah is $160, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $191. 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 Savannah and Charlotte in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Savannah or Charlotte? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Savannah:
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Charlotte and Savannah 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Savannah.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Savannah are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Savannah are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Savannah:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savannah and Charlotte, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is Savannah much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savannah would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savannah 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 Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte than you might in Savannah.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savannah Expensive? and Is Charlotte Expensive?.
Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Savannah. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and Charlotte, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Charlotte. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Savannah is generally around the same temperature as Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In the summer, Savannah often gets less sunshine than Charlotte. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charlotte. Savannah receives a lot of rain in the summer. Savannah usually gets more rain in July than Charlotte. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Charlotte and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Savannah for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Savannah is a little warmer than Charlotte in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during autumn. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Savannah usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlotte. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Charlotte and Savannah during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Savannah in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Savannah is much warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savannah in January average around 49°F (9°C), and Charlotte averages at about 42°F (6°C).
In the winter, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.
Savannah usually gets less rain in January than Charlotte. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Charlotte. Most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the activities around the city.
In April, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 66°F (19°C), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during spring. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Savannah usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Savannah | Charlotte | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 49°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Feb | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Mar | 59°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Apr | 66°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
Sep | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |