A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Boston for Attractions, Old Town, Families, and Food

Should you visit Charlottesville or Boston?

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 Charlottesville and Boston. 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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and proud city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Boston is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping. See Boston travel costs.

Charlottesville and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Boston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boston. Although Charlottesville and Boston are popular destinations, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is very popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Boston is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Charlottesville different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Charlottesville or Boston?

Boston is terrific for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Boston are world-renowned. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a great city for its theatre productions. However, Charlottesville is not a theatre destination.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Charlottesville is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Charlottesville or Boston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boston is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Boston has something for everybody. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is adequate for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is terrific for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Boston is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Boston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Boston?

Boston is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Charlottesville or Boston More Beautiful?

Charlottesville and Boston are somewhat similar when it comes to the nice scenery.

Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Boston offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The history, architecture, and world renowned university campuses all give this city its unique beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Boston is very family-friendly. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Couples?

Charlottesville and Boston both nice destinations for a couple.

Charlottesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Boston is a good university town for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boston is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Students?

For students, both Charlottesville and Boston are terrific places to visit.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Many students frequent Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Is Charlottesville or Boston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boston is terrific for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

The thorough and effecient public transit system of Boston can take you anywhere. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Charlottesville or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is terrific for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Boston is a very easy city to get around on foot. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Boston?

In either Charlottesville or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Charlottesville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Charlottesville 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 Boston.

One day in Charlottesville or Boston?

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Boston is a big city with plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Boston?

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a big city with plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Charlottesville or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charlottesville. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Charlottesville or Boston?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Boston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Boston, 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 Charlottesville or Boston?

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 Charlottesville or Boston in the Summer?

Both Boston and Charlottesville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In July, Charlottesville is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the summer, Charlottesville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Boston. The hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Boston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Boston. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Boston can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. In the winter, Charlottesville is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlottesville in January average around 36°F (2°C), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Boston. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Boston. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Charlottesville or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 58°F (14°C), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charlottesville usually receives less rain than Boston. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Charlottesville