A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Pine Key vs. Durham for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Durham?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Durham. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Durham?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Durham, we can see that Durham 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 Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Durham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Durham?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Durham, 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 Big Pine Key or Durham?

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 Big Pine Key or Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Durham. Additionally, many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Durham. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Durham averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Durham. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Durham in the Autumn?

Both Durham and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Durham. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Durham fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Durham. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Durham during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Durham can be very cold. Big Pine Key is much warmer than Durham in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Durham in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Durham.

In the spring, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Durham. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Durham averages at about 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Durham during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Durham. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Durham and Big Pine Key