Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Big Pine Key or Nags Head?
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 Nags Head. 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 Nags Head?
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!
Nags Head
Nags Head is a popular tourist destination in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The town, with a population of almost 3,000, has many nice beaches and is also where you'll find Jockey's Ridge, which has the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. It's also the most visited park within the North Carolina park system.
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.
-
Big Pine Key Prices
USA PricesNags Head Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $174Nags Head $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $179. 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 Big Pine Key and Nags Head in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Nags Head $80
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Nags Head $160
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Nags Head
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Nags Head? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nags Head Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Nags Head $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Nags Head?
Prices for flights to both Nags Head and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $72Nags Head $71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Nags Head $14
Tours and Activities in Nags Head
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
- 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD Truck: $65
- Alligator River Kayak Adventure: $59
- Cape Hatteras Kayak Adventure in Rodanthe: $59
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Kitty Hawk Maritime Forest Kayak Tour: $49
- Nags Head Kayak Tour: $55
- OBX Ghost Tours- The Original Ghost Tour of the Outer Banks: $25
- OBX Ghost Tours: Lighthouse Wraiths & Dune Shadows: $26
- Outer Banks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Outer Banks: $17
- Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks : $65
- Wright Brothers Carolina Dunes Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Nags Head $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Nags Head
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nags Head:
- Wine Tasting And Boat Ride: $109
When comparing the travel costs between Big Pine Key and Nags Head, we can see that Nags Head 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 Nags Head Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Nags Head?
Big Pine Key has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Nags Head, 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 Nags Head?
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 Big Pine Key or Nags Head in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Nags Head. Also, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Nags Head fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head 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 Nags Head during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.
Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Nags Head 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Nags Head in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Nags Head.
Big Pine Key is much warmer than Nags Head in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 205 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Nags Head 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Nags Head in the Winter?
Both Nags Head and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.
Nags Head can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Nags Head averages at about 41°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Nags Head during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Nags Head 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Nags Head in the Spring?
Both Nags Head and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Nags Head fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 262 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Nags Head. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Nags Head 59°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Nags Head and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Nags Head | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.