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

Should you visit Wilmington or Fairfield?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Fairfield, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Wilmington or Fairfield?

Wilmington

Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.

Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.

Fairfield

The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.

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


Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Wilmington?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Wilmington is $204, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Wilmington and Fairfield in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Wilmington $120
    Fairfield $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Wilmington $240
    Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Wilmington and Fairfield

Looking for a hotel in Wilmington or Fairfield? 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 Wilmington


Hotels in Fairfield


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: Wilmington Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Wilmington $47
    Fairfield -

Is it cheaper to fly into Wilmington or Fairfield?

Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Wilmington 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
    Wilmington $56
    Fairfield $30

Typical Food Prices in Fairfield

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:


  • El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)
    $17
  • Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)
    $44

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Wilmington $17
    Fairfield $13

Tours and Activities in Wilmington

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

  • 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $50
  • 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $55
  • 2.5 Hr E-Bike tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & one Haunted Pub: $65
  • 4.5 Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
  • 4.5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
  • Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
  • Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
  • Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
  • Eco Kayak Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $75
  • Half Day Carolina Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
  • Half-Day E-Bike Tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & Breweries: $85
  • Half-Day E-Bike Tour of the Filming Locations in One Tree Hill: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Wilmington $39
    Fairfield -

Sample the Local Flavors in Wilmington

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:

  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
  • 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55

Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:

  • Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133


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

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


Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Fairfield?

Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Fairfield, 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.


When is the best time to visit Wilmington or Fairfield?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Wilmington or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Wilmington 81°F (27°C) 
    Fairfield 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Wilmington or Fairfield in the Autumn?

Both Fairfield and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Wilmington for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Wilmington is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Wilmington 65°F (18°C) 
    Fairfield 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Wilmington or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Fairfield. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Wilmington is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Wilmington usually receives more sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of rain as Fairfield. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Wilmington 45°F (7°C) 
    Fairfield 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Wilmington or Fairfield in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Fairfield. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the beaches during these months.

Wilmington is a little warmer than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.

Wilmington usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Wilmington 63°F (17°C) 
    Fairfield 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Wilmington

Wilmington Fairfield
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 47°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm) 69°F (21°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 70°F (21°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 56°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 46°F (8°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)