A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Tampa or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Columbia? 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.

Where Should I go: Tampa or Columbia?

Tampa

On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Tampa?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $136, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampa $68
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampa $136
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Columbia? 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 Tampa


Hotels in Columbia


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: Tampa Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampa $58
    Columbia -

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa

Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer - to Tampa Airport (TPA): $28
  • Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA): $32
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Tampa to Tampa International Airport (TPA): $44
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Land O' Lakes Florida: $60
  • Private Airport Transfer: Tampa International Airport (TPA) to Tampa: $61
  • Transfer from Tampa International Airport to Tampa: $75
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $82
  • Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $82
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $83
  • Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Bradenton: $110
  • Private Tampa Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel: $113

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia and Tampa 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
    Tampa $34
    Columbia $4.02

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampa $15
    Columbia -

Tours and Activities in Tampa

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

  • 1 Hour Haunted History Walking Tour: $23
  • Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket: $26
  • Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour: $30
  • 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
  • Tampa History Cruise: $31
  • VIP Ghost Hunters Tour Semi Private: $35
  • Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket: $45
  • Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour: $59
  • 2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa: $60
  • Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $63
  • Tampa Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $70
  • ZooQuarium 1-Day Ticket: $79

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampa $20
    Columbia $70

Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:

  • Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl: $12
  • Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City: $26
  • Private Tampa Brewery Tour - Party Bus: $600

Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia

Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Tampa or Columbia?

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.

Should I visit Tampa or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Columbia. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia stays around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Columbia. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tampa 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbia in the Autumn?

Both Columbia and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

Tampa is a little warmer than Columbia in the autumn. The temperature in Tampa is usually 75°F (24°C) in October, and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Columbia. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampa 75°F (24°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January are around 60°F (15°C), and Columbia is about 45°F (7°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tampa 60°F (15°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Tampa or Columbia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Columbia. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Columbia. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampa 71°F (22°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Tampa

Tampa Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 60°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 61°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 67°F (19°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 71°F (22°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 75°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 68°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Tampa
Washington vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Tampa
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Tampa
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Tampa
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Tampa
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Tampa
Miami vs. Columbia
Orlando vs. Tampa
Orlando vs. Columbia
Saint Petersburg vs. Tampa
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia
Tallahassee vs. Tampa
Tallahassee vs. Columbia
Tampa vs. Atlanta
Tampa vs. Savannah
Tampa vs. New Orleans
Tampa vs. Baltimore
Tampa vs. Kansas City
Tampa vs. Saint Louis
Tampa vs. Asheville
Tampa vs. Charlotte
Tampa vs. Durham
Tampa vs. Greensboro
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Tampa vs. Columbia Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.