Which place is cheaper, Virginia 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 Virginia?
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 Virginia 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 Virginia?
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.
Virginia
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
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 PricesVirginia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Carolina $242Virginia $185
The average daily cost (per person) in South Carolina is $242, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $185. 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 Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Carolina $96Virginia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Carolina $192Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in South Carolina and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in South Carolina or Virginia? 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 $33Virginia $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Carolina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in South Carolina:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $61
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $61
- Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
- Charleston AirportCHS to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Private Transfer: $143
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $171
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $203
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $210
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Airport Transfers to or from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport: $80
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $172
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $172
- Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $205
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $215
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $225
- Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $230
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
Is it cheaper to fly into South Carolina or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia 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 $88Virginia $60
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
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $99
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $109
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Charleston Brunch Food Tour: Biscuits, Shrimps, Grits and More: $111
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $111
- Private Charleston Walking Food Tour in the French Quarter: $227
- Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class: $250
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.
- City Cruises Norfolk: Buffet Dinner Cruise: $84
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $100
- Richmond's Historic Market Food Tour with 5 Authentic Tastings: $109
- The Dairy Market Food Tour: $128
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $228
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Carolina $25Virginia $24
Tours and Activities in South Carolina
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for South Carolina are as follows:
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- Charleston Ghost Tour: $8.00
- True Crime Walking Tour in Charleston: $8.00
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.32
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Greenville: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in Charleston: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Greenville SC: $15
- Charleston's Ultimate 3 Self Guided Walking Tours Bundle: $17
- Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting: $17
Tours and Activities in Virginia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:
- Historical Fredericksburg SmartPhone App Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Williamsburg's Famous Ghosts Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
- Colonial Contradictions Self Guided Walking Tour of Williamsburg: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Operation City Quest: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- Self Guided Audio Tour Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Ashburn Sterling VA: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Carolina $30Virginia $19
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: $20
- 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
Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:
- An Electrifying Bar Crawl in Richmond: $15
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Norfolk: $15
- Williamsburg Ghosts and Brews Haunted Pub Crawls: $29
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Bradys Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $30
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $86
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
- Special Family Wine Tour: $90
- Premium Private Wine Tours with safe Transportation.: $95
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $270
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $270
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Carolina and Virginia, we can see that South Carolina is more expensive. And not only is Virginia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia 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 South Carolina would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in South Carolina than you might in Virginia.
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 Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Carolina or Virginia?
Virginia has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of South Carolina. When comparing the sizes of South Carolina and Virginia, 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.