Which place is cheaper, Richmond or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Richmond can help you decide which place is right for you.
Washington is a international, diverse, and active city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.
Richmond is a historical, growing, and friendly city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
You'll generally find more things to do in Washington than Richmond. Washington is bigger than Richmond, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Washington is more touristy than Richmond and is popular for its reputation as the capital of the United States, but it's also known for its many monuments, memorials, and museums. Also, Washington is famous for The Washington Monument and the White House. Richmond is well known for its cultural and historical sights.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Richmond and Washington. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Washington is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Washington on the map. The city has world class museums that are often free. The Smithsonian Museums are arguably some of the most impressive museums in the United States. The city also has a large collection of monuments that are dedicated to past presidents or historical events. Many are best experienced at night when the sun sets and the lights come on.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Richmond can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a long history which you can learn about at one of the many museums. There's the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, and the Black History Museum. There are also landmarks and historical homes.
Washington is notable for its shows and theatre. However, Richmond is not a theatre destination.
Washington has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. Theater is popular in the city. From major theaters like the Kennedy Center and Ford's Theater, to lesser known smaller venues, there are options for everyone.
Richmond is not a theatre destination.
Washington is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Washington has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. This city is among the most diverse in the country, so you can find restaurants from almost any cuisine here. It's worth exploring and stepping out of your comfort zone. There are popular neighborhoods for Ethiopian, Korean, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese food, among many others.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Richmond. The food scene has been growing around town, and there are food halls and local restaurants that serve diverse and interesting dishes. You'll find Indian, Asian, and European restaurants in addition to local classics.
Washington is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Washington has plenty to do after the sun goes down. Many visitors head straight to the museums and the National Mall, and don't realize what a livable and fun city this is. Some of the best nightlife is found in Dupont Circle, U Street, and even Arlington, VA. The city's young population ensures that there's never a dull moment.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Richmond. You'll find diverse bars and clubs around town. Pubs are usually laid back with a relaxed atmosphere. You'll also find live music that includes bluegrass, country, and jazz.
Washington is very good for its music scene. However, Richmond is not a live music destination.
Music lovers will find a few good venues in Washington. Notable live music venues include the 9:30 Club, the Anthem, and Union Stage.
Richmond is not a live music destination.
Washington is a moderate city for the nearby hiking options. However, Richmond is not a hiking destination.
Hiking is a fun activity while in Washington. Just outside of Washington DC you'll find plenty of places to go hiking. There's also an elaborate bike and walking trail system in the city. To enjoy a bit of nature, head to Teddy Roosevelt Island.
Richmond is not a hiking destination.
Washington is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.
Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Washington. Head to Georgetown and Dupont Circle for some of the city's best local shopping. There are name brand chains mixed in with local boutiques. You'll also find plenty of souvenir shops in the more touristy areas if you're looking to pick up some trinkets.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Richmond. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers around town, but there are also eclectic shopping streets and boutique outlets.
Washington is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, Richmond does not offer Christmas activities.
Washington is a fantastic destination at Christmas. With it's beautiful lights and holiday shows, Christmas is beautiful in the capital of the United States.
Richmond does not offer Christmas activities.
Washington is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Washington is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It is a fun and educational destination where kids can explore world class museums and try unique foods from all around the world. The city has nationally recognized landmarks, monuments, and memorials and it's also home to some of the best (free) museums in the United States including the world class Smithsonian Institutions. Many schools visit Washington DC as a field trip, particularly during the Spring months, so you'll kids groups in colorful t-shirts running around the National Mall.
Richmond is a family-friendly city. The Children's Museum of Richmond offers hands-on exhibits that will keep young ones entertained. Another fun option is the Science Museum of Virginia. The city also has parks and outdoor places to explore as well as playgrounds and kid-friendly restaurants.
Washington is notable for couples. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Washington is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city lights up at night, so couples will enjoy wandering by the monuments in the evening or taking in a dinner and show. During the Spring months you'll find couples wandering through the Cherry Blossoms or along the waterfront.
Richmond is a nice destination for couples. Kayaking or tubing on the James River is a great activity for couples. There are also museums and many restaurants that are perfect for a date night.
Washington is a world-class destination for students. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Students come from all over the world to visit Washington. International students come from around the world to study, learn, intern, and work in the capital of the United States. There are many internships available through the federal government as well as NGOs and nonprofits.
Plenty of students visit Richmond. There are a couple of colleges and universities in town such as Virginia Commonwealth University.
Washington is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Richmond is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.
With a huge network, the transit system in Washington can get you around easily. The metro system and the bus system are reliable and efficient ways to explore the city.
Public transit is mostly limited in Richmond. There are buses around town, but the availability and reliability is limited.
Washington is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Richmond is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.
It is easy to get around Washington on foot. Many neighborhoods around the city are easy to explore on foot. Most tourists spend a lot of time in the Mall area, which is very pedestrian friendly.
Richmond is somewhat walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods such as the Fan and Museum District, but most people prefer to get around by car.
For even more information, also check out Is Washington Worth Visiting? and Is Richmond Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Washington or Richmond to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Washington than Richmond because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Washington, and 1-2 days is enough time in Richmond.
Families should spend more time in Washington than Richmond. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Washington, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Washington than Richmond. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Washington that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Washington than Richmond 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 Washington.
Washington is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
With museums and nightlife around the growing city of Richmond, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Richmond, one day is sufficent for most.
Washington is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Richmond, 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.
Washington is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Washington, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Richmond, 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.
Washington is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Washington has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
Richmond 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $198, while the average daily cost in Richmond is $161. 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 Washington and Richmond in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Richmond? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
Prices for flights to both Richmond and Washington 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Richmond:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Richmond, we can see that Washington is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond 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 Washington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Washington than you might in Richmond.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Washington Expensive? and Is Richmond Expensive?.
Washington has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Richmond. When comparing the sizes of Washington and Richmond, 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.
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.
Both Richmond and Washington during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Washington because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.
In July, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Richmond. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 79°F (26°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Washington. In the summer, Washington often gets less sunshine than Richmond. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun.
Richmond gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Washington usually gets less rain in July than Richmond. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Richmond. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Washington this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Richmond for the shopping scene.
Washington is around the same temperature as Richmond in the autumn. The daily temperature in Washington averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Richmond this time of the year. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during autumn. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Washington usually receives less rain than Richmond. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Washington as well as Richmond. Many travelers come to Washington for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Richmond in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Richmond can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Washington. In the winter, Washington is much colder than Richmond. Typically, the winter temperatures in Washington in January average around 35°F (1°C), and Richmond averages at about 36°F (2°C).
In the winter, Washington often gets less sunshine than Richmond. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets less rain in January than Richmond. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Richmond and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Washington in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Washington is generally around the same temperature as Richmond. Daily temperatures in Washington average around 56°F (14°C), and Richmond fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Washington. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during spring. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Washington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Richmond. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Washington | Richmond | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |