Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Winston-Salem?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Winston-Salem or Charleston? 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.
Winston-Salem is a friendly, under-rated, and welcoming city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
Charleston is a quaint, historic, and classic coastal town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.
Visitors will generally find more to do in Charleston than Winston-Salem. While Winston-Salem is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Charleston is more touristy than Winston-Salem and is known for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Winston-Salem is famous for it's southern character and quaint college campuses.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charleston and Winston-Salem. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Winston-Salem or Charleston.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Winston-Salem. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.
Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.
Charleston is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
For foodies, Charleston is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Winston-Salem. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.
Evening events are nice in both Winston-Salem and Charleston.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.
Charleston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Charleston is active and vibrant. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.
Winston-Salem is not a live music destination.
Charleston is a popular place for its resorts. However, Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.
Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.
Winston-Salem is not a resort destination.
Charleston is notable for the beach. However, Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.
Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.
Winston-Salem is not a beach destination.
Charleston is renowned for its historic old town charm. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.
The old town of Charleston is one of the most recognized in the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.
Winston-Salem is a good destination for visiting its old town. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.
Charleston is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.
Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Winston-Salem. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.
Charleston is notable for its Christmas activities. However, Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.
Charleston is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.
Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas activities.
Charleston is a popular place for its Christmas markets. However, Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas markets.
Many visitors go to the Christmas markets in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.
Winston-Salem does not offer Christmas markets.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Charleston.
Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.
Charleston is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.
Charleston is renowned for couples. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for romance.
Charleston makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.
Winston-Salem is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.
Winston-Salem and Charleston are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.
Winston-Salem is a good city to visit for students. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.
Plenty of students visit Charleston. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.
Both Winston-Salem and Charleston offer reasonable public transit options.
Public transit is generally limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.
Public transit is mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.
Charleston is notable for its ease of walking around. However, Winston-Salem is a mediocre city for its walkability.
Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.
Winston-Salem is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Charleston Worth Visiting?.
Both Winston-Salem and Charleston have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in Winston-Salem. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Winston-Salem, and 2-7 days is enough time in Charleston.
Families should spend more time in Charleston than Winston-Salem. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Winston-Salem. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Charleston than Winston-Salem 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 Charleston.
With museums and nightlife around the under-rated city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, one day is sufficent for most.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Charleston. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Winston-Salem, 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charleston. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Winston-Salem, 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.
Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the quaint destination of Charleston. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Winston-Salem 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 travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful coastal town of Charleston. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $150, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $170. 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 Winston-Salem and Charleston in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem or Charleston? 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 specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Winston-Salem 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
When comparing the travel costs between Winston-Salem and Charleston, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Winston-Salem Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Charleston, 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 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.
Both Charleston and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Charleston in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Charleston fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Charleston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives less rain than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Charleston and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Winston-Salem is cooler than Charleston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Charleston averages at about 67°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun.
Winston-Salem usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Charleston. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much colder than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Winston-Salem usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Charleston. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
Winston-Salem is cooler than Charleston in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Charleston fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun.
Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in April than Charleston. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Winston-Salem | Charleston | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
Apr | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
May | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |