Which place is cheaper, Alaska or South Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit South Carolina or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between South Carolina and Alaska can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: South Carolina or Alaska?
South Carolina
The U.S. state of South Carolina is a part of the American South-rich in all the culture, cuisine, and countryside that make up the region. From the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to a stunning coastline with many charming towns in between, the landscape of South Carolina is full of things to do and see. There are many great opportunities to dive into the past while indulging in the culture that thrives today.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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South Carolina Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Carolina $242Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in South Carolina is $242, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 South Carolina and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Carolina $96Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Carolina $192Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in South Carolina and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in South Carolina or Alaska? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.South Carolina $33Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Carolina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in South Carolina:
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $62
- Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $86
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $86
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $107
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $146
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $146
- Charleston AirportCHS to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Private Transfer: $146
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $172
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $207
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Whittier to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Anchorage to Whittier Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $85
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Anchorage to Seward Cruise Transfer with Exit Glacier: $190
- Whittier to Anchorage Post Cruise Scenic Transfer Tour: $195
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $197
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
Is it cheaper to fly into South Carolina or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and South Carolina 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 daySouth Carolina $88Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Carolina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in South Carolina.
- The Greenville Sampler, a 2 Hour Food Tour: $50
- Riga Tony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show: $60
- Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $90
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $99
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $109
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $117
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise: $128
- Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class: $250
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Ketchikan Fireside Feast: Open-Fire Salmon & Reindeer Dinner: $159
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Carolina $25Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in South Carolina
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for South Carolina are as follows:
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.55
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- True Crime Walking Tour in Charleston (Self-Guided Audio Tour): $8.00
- Charleston Ghost Tour in 12 Languages (Self-Guided Audio Tour): $8.00
- Charleston Self-Guided Walking Tour Landmarks with Audio & Quiz: $8.31
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Greenville: $10
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $12
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Greenville SC: $15
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Charleston's Ultimate 3 Self Guided Walking Tours Bundle: $17
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier: $4.74
- Discover Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward: $17
- Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer: $20
- Anchorage–Homer Sterling Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Mendenhall Glacier Explorer Juneau Self Guided Audio Tour: $25
- Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour: $25
- Kenai Peninsula Driving Self Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $30
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Alaska Bundle: $40
- Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Carolina $29Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in South Carolina
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in South Carolina:
- Tour and Tasting at Striped Pig Distillery: $25
- Speakeasy Sagas - Charleston Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Charleston Historic Pub Tour: $99
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Arctic Ale Trail: a Fairbanks Brewery Tour with Drinks & Pickup.: $189
When comparing the travel costs between South Carolina and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is South Carolina Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Carolina or Alaska?
South Carolina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of South Carolina and Alaska, 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.
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.