A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlottesville vs. Cleveland for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Charlottesville or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland. 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 traditional, young, and collegiate university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a diverse, authentic, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Cleveland travel costs.

Charlottesville and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Popular at Christmas
  • Known for its beauty
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
  • Small town charm
  • Quaint atmosphere
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good music scene
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cleveland. Although Charlottesville and Cleveland are popular destinations, Cleveland has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cleveland is very popular for its museums and attractions, music, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park. Cleveland is famous for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people. It is also well known for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

How is Charlottesville different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cleveland. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Charlottesville and Cleveland.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Charlottesville. 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.

Cleveland may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find nice options in both Charlottesville and Cleveland.

If you're looking for night time activities Charlottesville has a few options to choose from. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Music?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Cleveland is a great city for its live music scene. However, Charlottesville is not a live music destination.

Cleveland has a thriving music scene. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Charlottesville is not a live music destination.


Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Cleveland does not have a historic old town.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville has hiking trails worth exploring. 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.

Cleveland is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

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

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cleveland. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.


Is Charlottesville or Cleveland More Beautiful?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

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

Cleveland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Families?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Both Charlottesville and Cleveland are nice family-friendly destinations.

Charlottesville offers lots of family activities. 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.

Cleveland is a family-friendly place to visit. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville is a nice place to visit for romance. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its romantic activities.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Most people don't think of Cleveland as a couple's destination. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.


Is Charlottesville or Cleveland Better for Students?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Cleveland is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a great destination 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.

Cleveland is not popular with students.

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

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville and Cleveland both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

Is Charlottesville or Cleveland a more walkable city?

Charlottesville
Cleveland

Charlottesville and Cleveland are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

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

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.


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

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Charlottesville?

How long in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charlottesville and Cleveland. In our opinion, Charlottesville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Charlottesville than Cleveland. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Charlottesville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Charlottesville or Cleveland? Ideal Length of Stay
    Charlottesville 2-3 
    Cleveland 1-3

One day in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Even though Charlottesville is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The authentic destination of Cleveland offers nightlife and live music. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this university town has to offer. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

The city of Cleveland offers live music and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Charlottesville is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Cleveland is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.


A week in Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cleveland. 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.


Which place is cheaper, Cleveland or Charlottesville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Charlottesville Prices
    USA Prices
    Cleveland Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Charlottesville $185
    Cleveland $158

The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $185, while the average daily cost in Cleveland is $158. 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 Charlottesville and Cleveland in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlottesville $80
    Cleveland $75
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlottesville $160
    Cleveland $150
Compare Hotels in Charlottesville and Cleveland

Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville or Cleveland? 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.

Hotels in Charlottesville


Hotels in Cleveland


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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices and Cleveland Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlottesville $53
    Cleveland $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville

Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cleveland are as follows:


  • Taxi to Airport
    $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cleveland

Also for Cleveland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $207
  • Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) - Departure Private Transfer : $104
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Cleveland Airprot (CLE): $68
  • Private Departure Transfer to Cleveland Airport (CLE): $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Prices for flights to both Cleveland and Charlottesville 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 day
    Charlottesville $73
    Cleveland $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville

For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The Dairy Market Food Tour: $75

Typical Food Prices in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    $1.79
  • Sandwich
    $9.75
  • Large Pizza
    $15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • West Side Market Food Tour: $53
  • Little Italy Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $79
  • Tremont Neighborhood Food Tour: $79
  • Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $91

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlottesville $18
    Cleveland $40

Tours and Activities in Charlottesville

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.

  • Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $32
  • Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24
  • Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Charlottesville Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
  • Small Group Washington DC to Thomas Jefferson Monticello Day Tour: $180
  • Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour: $248

Tours and Activities in Cleveland

For Cleveland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Akron Secrets: Rubber City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.00
  • Cleveland Browns Football Game Ticket at Huntington Bank Field: $35
  • Cleveland Comedy City Tour: $39
  • Cleveland Downtown Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Cleveland Golf Cart City Tour: $40
  • Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game Ticket at Progressive Field: $39
  • Cleveland Highlights City Tour with Pickup: $275
  • Electric Bike Tour in Cleveland: $109
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Cleveland with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Exploring Cleveland with the Family - Walking Tour: $262
  • Ghost Tour of Cleveland with free Ghost Hunting Gear: $20
  • Heritage Walk: Scenic Guided Tour of Cleveland: $262

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlottesville $53
    Cleveland $45

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville

Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Family Wine Tour: $85
  • Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $95
  • 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $248
  • Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $248

Typical Alcohol Prices in Cleveland

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Cleveland are as follows:


  • A Night of Shots
    $36

Sample the Local Flavors in Cleveland

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cleveland:

  • Cleveland Brewery Golf Cart Tour Experience: $60


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

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


Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Charlottesville or Cleveland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Cleveland. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cleveland for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Charlottesville is generally around the same temperature as Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 78°F (26°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charlottesville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlottesville 78°F (26°C) 
    Cleveland 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Charlottesville or Cleveland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Cleveland. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the shopping scene and the music scene.

Charlottesville is a little warmer than Cleveland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 59°F (15°C) in October, and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlottesville 59°F (15°C) 
    Cleveland 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Charlottesville or Cleveland in the Winter?

Both Cleveland and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cleveland this time of year.


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