Which place is cheaper, Alaska or South Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Carolina $207Alaska $243
The average daily cost (per person) in South Carolina is $207, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $243. 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 Departure Transfer to Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): $36
- Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
- Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Myrtle Beach to Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $54
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $54
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $103
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $232
- Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
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 $53Alaska $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Carolina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in South Carolina.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Myrtle Beach: $50
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
- Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $256
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:
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $7.50
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in Charleston: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Greenville Scavenger Hunt: Greenville Adventure: $12
- Kazoo Factory Tour & Museum : $15
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Myrtle Beach, SC: $15
- Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island of South Carolina: $17
- Evening History Tour: $20
- Highlights of Charleston Guided Walking Tour: $23
- Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour: $27
- Charleston Family & Child-Friendly Nighttime Ghost Tour with Unitarian Graveyard: $27
- Charleston Spooktacular All-Ages Ghost Walking Tour: $27
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
- Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $39
- Adventurers Ready To Jump Into the Void Alaska Style Wanted: $39
- 2-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $40
- Axe Throwing - 60 minute Experience : $40
- Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Carolina $30Alaska $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:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Spooky & Haunted Paranormal Bar Crawl Downtown Greenville: $32
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Carolina and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is South Carolina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to South Carolina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in South Carolina 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in South Carolina.
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.