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

Should you visit Chapel Hill or Fairfield?

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

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Fairfield? 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.

Where Should I go: Chapel Hill or Fairfield?

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

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 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 Fairfield, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 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 Fairfield.

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 Fairfield Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Fairfield?

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

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 Chapel Hill or Fairfield in the Summer?

Both Fairfield and Chapel Hill during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chapel Hill in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. In the summer, Chapel Hill often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Fairfield in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chapel Hill and Fairfield. Most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Chapel Hill is generally around the same temperature as Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Chapel Hill average around 61°F (16°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Chapel Hill gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Fairfield in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chapel Hill as well as Fairfield. The winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. Chapel Hill is much colder than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Chapel Hill averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

In the winter, Chapel Hill often gets more sunshine than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chapel Hill or Fairfield in the Spring?

Both Fairfield and Chapel Hill are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Chapel Hill is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chapel Hill in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. Chapel Hill usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Chapel Hill gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chapel Hill usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Chapel Hill gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Fairfield and Chapel Hill