A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tallahassee vs. Rapid City for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Tallahassee or Rapid City?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tallahassee and Rapid City 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.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a youthful, lively, and vibrant city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Rapid City

Rapid City is a friendly, fascinating, and activity-filled city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and hiking.

Tallahassee and Rapid City: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less family-friendly
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Home to Mount Rushmore
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife


Is there more to do in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rapid City than Tallahassee. While Tallahassee is larger than Rapid City, Rapid City has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rapid City is more popular for its museums, food, and hiking, while Tallahassee is known for its nightlife. Rapid City is more touristy than Tallahassee and is known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and many other iconic parks. It is also home to Mount Rushmore. Tallahassee is popular for its capital building and many universities.

How is Tallahassee different from Rapid City?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rapid City and Tallahassee. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is an amazing city to visit for its historical sights. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Rapid City has many famous sights for visitors. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Tallahassee. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital Museum.


Is the Food Better in Tallahassee or Rapid City? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is a city with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rapid City is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Nightlife?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Tallahassee is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Rapid City is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

Rapid City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. You'll find some places with live music and good drinks, but the city isn't really known for its nightlife scene.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Hiking?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is great for hiking. However, Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rapid City for the hiking trails. The region is filled with national parks, state parks, and natural areas with wonderful hiking trails. You don't have to travel far to get into nature and experience some of South Dakota's best natural beauty.

Tallahassee is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

If you're looking to go shopping, Tallahassee and Rapid City both offer plenty of good spots.

Tallahassee has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

Rapid City is a great destination for shopping. Rapid City has some interesting local shops as well as larger malls and shopping centers.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Families?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Rapid City is an extremely popular city to visit for families. Nearby national parks and outdoor activities, this is the perfect base for exploring the area with kids. Nearby you'll find the Big Thunder Gold Mine, which has tours and lets you pan for gold, and Custer State Park, which is filled with wildlife. Wall Drug is worth a stopoff, as is Dinosaur Park.

Tallahassee is a family-friendly place to visit. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Couples?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is great for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

Rapid City is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy the amazing national parks in the area and the easy access to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore. There are many opportunities for wildlife spotting as well as great hiking trails and unique landscapes.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.


Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Rapid City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Rapid City. Backpackers will appreciate the surrounding natural beauty and the nearby national parks.

Plenty of backpackers visit Tallahassee. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Students?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Tallahassee is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Rapid City is not popular with students.

Tallahassee is very popular with students. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

Rapid City is not popular with students.

Is Tallahassee or Rapid City Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Tallahassee and Rapid City both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Public transit is generally limited in Rapid City. While there are a few buses, this isn't a realistic option for traveling through the region.


Is Tallahassee or Rapid City a more walkable city?

Tallahassee
Rapid City

Tallahassee and Rapid City are decent when it comes to walkability.

Tallahassee is generally not a very walkable city. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.

Rapid City is generally not very walkable. While the downtown is walkable, most visitors use the city as a base for exploring the surrounding areas, and this requires a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Tallahassee Worth Visiting? and Is Rapid City Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rapid City or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

It's fun to spend time in either Tallahassee or Rapid City. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Rapid City due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Tallahassee, and 2-4 days is enough time in Rapid City.

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

Couples should spend more time in Rapid City than Tallahassee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rapid City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rapid City than Tallahassee 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 Rapid City.


  • How many days in Tallahassee or Rapid City? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tallahassee 1-2 
    Rapid City 2-4

One day in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

With museums and nightlife around the vibrant city of Tallahassee, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tallahassee, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating city of Rapid City. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Most people visit for the museums. 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.

A weekend in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

With nightlife and shopping around the destination of Tallahassee, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the activity-filled destination of Rapid City. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This 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.


Five days in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Tallahassee, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

The fascinating city of Rapid City offers museums and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

A week in Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Tallahassee is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Rapid City. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people visit for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Rapid City or Tallahassee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallahassee is $156, while the average daily cost in Rapid City is $116. 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 Tallahassee and Rapid City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallahassee $89
    Rapid City $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallahassee $178
    Rapid City $120
Compare Hotels in Tallahassee and Rapid City

Looking for a hotel in Tallahassee or Rapid City? 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.

Hotels in Tallahassee


Hotels in Rapid City


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tallahassee Hotel Prices and Rapid City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallahassee $33
    Rapid City $53

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Prices for flights to both Rapid City and Tallahassee 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tallahassee $47
    Rapid City $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rapid City

For Rapid City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Roller Coaster Tickets with Dinner and Show in Rapid City: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallahassee $12
    Rapid City $26

Tours and Activities in Tallahassee

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tallahassee.

  • Experience Tranquility with a Picnic at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Luxury Picnic Experience at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Tallahassee Delights: A Christmas Tour Through Art and Parks: $246
  • Tallahassee Delights: A Christmas Tour Through Art and Parks: $482
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $191
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $375

Tours and Activities in Rapid City

For Rapid City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Badlands National Park Private Tour: $650
  • Badlands Sunset and Wildlife Adventure : $289
  • Badlands Winter Wonderland Adventure: $239
  • Black Hills & Badlands: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tours: $20
  • Buffalo Jeep Safari & Mammoth Site Tour: $700
  • Bus Tour of Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills: $133
  • From Private Devils Tower Tour and Hike: $650
  • From Private Spearfish Canyon Tour: $650
  • Full-Day Private Sightseeing Tour in South Dakota: $275
  • Mount Rushmore Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show: $164
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Rapid City, SD: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallahassee $53
    Rapid City $6.93


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tallahassee Expensive? and Is Rapid City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or Rapid City?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rapid City. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee and Rapid City, 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.