A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chapel Hill vs. Columbia for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbia? 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.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a southern, student-oriented, and collegiate town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Columbia

Columbia is a welcoming, suburban, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Columbia travel costs.

Chapel Hill and Columbia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chapel Hill. Although Chapel Hill and Columbia are both popular with visitors, Chapel Hill has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chapel Hill is more touristy than Columbia and is known for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States. It is also home to the University of North Carolina. Columbia is popular for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Chapel Hill different from Columbia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Columbia and Chapel Hill. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Chapel Hill offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Columbia. As the state capital, there are some decent museums around town like the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina Military Museum, the South Carolina State Museum, and the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum.

Is the Food Better in Chapel Hill or Columbia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Columbia is not a good city for its restaurants.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Columbia may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Barbecue and other southern favorites are among the more local dishes, but the city is also filled with fast food joints and other major chain restaurants.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia Better for Nightlife?

Chapel Hill is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Chapel Hill offers plenty to do in the evening. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Columbia. You'll find live music venues as well as low key bars and more trendy cocktail lounges.

Is the Shopping Better in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Columbia and Chapel Hill.

Many visitors go to Chapel Hill to go shopping. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Columbia. You'll find independent and locally owned shops along Devine Street and in the Five Points area. Also interesting are the Vista, which is a warehouse district, and Trenholm Plaza.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chapel Hill or Columbia.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chapel Hill. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Columbia offers lots of family activities. Around town you'll find parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly restaurants. There's a zoo in the area as well as a nice state park - Sesquicentennial State Park. There's also EdVenture Children's Museum, which is filled with hands-on exhibits.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia Better for Couples?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Columbia is not a good city for couples.

Chapel Hill makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Columbia is not always the best place to visit for a couple. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for students. Also, Columbia is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Chapel Hill. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Plenty of students visit Columbia. The University of South Carolina, and other nearby colleges all bring in a decent student population.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its public transit. However, Columbia is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Chapel Hill has a few public transit options. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Public transit is mostly limited in Columbia. The COMET is the bus system through town, but you really must have your own car to enjoy the city.

Is Chapel Hill or Columbia a more walkable city?

Chapel Hill is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Columbia is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Chapel Hill is a somewhat walkable place. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Columbia is not a very walkable town. It's filled with suburban-style development and is generally very car dependent.

For even more information, also check out Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting? and Is Columbia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Columbia or Chapel Hill?

How long in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Chapel Hill or Columbia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Chapel Hill than Columbia because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Chapel Hill, and 1-2 days is enough time in Columbia.

Families should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Columbia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chapel Hill, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Columbia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chapel Hill that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Columbia 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 Chapel Hill.

One day in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

The town of Chapel Hill offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the friendly city of Columbia. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Chapel Hill is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chapel Hill, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the welcoming destination of Columbia. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Chapel Hill is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The friendly city of Columbia offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Chapel Hill is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Columbia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Columbia?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill and Columbia, 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 Chapel Hill or Columbia?

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 Chapel Hill or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Columbia. The summer months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

In July, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Columbia. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Columbia. The shopping scene are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Columbia for the shopping scene.

Chapel Hill is around the same temperature as Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In the autumn, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Columbia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Chapel Hill. In the winter, Chapel Hill is much colder than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chapel Hill in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

Chapel Hill usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during winter. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chapel Hill usually receives less rain than Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Chapel Hill during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Chapel Hill is generally cooler than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 60°F (16°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the spring, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in April than Columbia. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Chapel Hill