Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Charleston or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Kailua-Kona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Kailua-Kona?
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Charleston Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $212Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $212, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Charleston and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Kailua-Kona? 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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Charleston 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
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Food Meals for one dayCharleston $100Kailua-Kona $100
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
- Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- Charleston Self-Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $5.00
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Charleston Self Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- South Carolina Audio Tour: Charleston Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting: $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Charleston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charleston Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Kailua-Kona?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Charleston and Kailua-Kona, 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 Charleston or Kailua-Kona?
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 Charleston or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Charleston is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Charleston. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharleston 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Charleston during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In October, Charleston is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In the autumn, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharleston 67°F (19°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Charleston is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 47°F (9°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Charleston usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharleston 47°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Charleston or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Charleston in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Charleston is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In the spring, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Charleston usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharleston 64°F (18°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Charleston
| Charleston | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.