A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Roswell, New Mexico for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico? 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.

Columbia

Columbia is a friendly, welcoming, and suburban city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Columbia travel costs.

Roswell, New Mexico

Roswell, New Mexico is a mysterious, infamous, and quirky town. And you can't forget about the food and museums. See Roswell, New Mexico travel costs.

Columbia and Roswell, New Mexico: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Both Roswell, New Mexico and Columbia have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Columbia is better known for its nightlife and shopping, while Roswell, New Mexico is more popular for its food. Roswell, New Mexico is more touristy than Columbia and is popular for being the site of an alleged UFO crash. Columbia is well known for its southern hospitality and friendly people.

How is Columbia different from Roswell, New Mexico?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Columbia and Roswell, New Mexico.

Columbia offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Roswell, New Mexico. Most people stop in town specifically for the International UFO Museum and Research Center. It has a lot of information on the 1947 Roswell Crash and other supposed UFO incidents. Other museums in town include the Roswell UFO Spacewalk, the Roswell Museum, and the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art.

Is the Food Better in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico. It's a good place to grab lunch as there are many casual restaurants that serve everything from burgers to tacos or other Mexican dishes.

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 Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Nightlife?

Columbia is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options for its evening party scene.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Roswell, New Mexico. There's no real nightlife scene and many visitors stop over in route somewhere else.

Is the Shopping Better in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Columbia is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Roswell, New Mexico is lacking in good options for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Roswell, New Mexico has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find the typical suburban chains where you can pick up essentials or food while you're in town.

Is Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico.

Columbia is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Roswell, New Mexico is a family-friendly city. Kids who enjoy a mystery will appreciate a visit to the International UFO Museum and Research Center. There's also the Spring River Park and Zoo which has native animals and a carousel.

Is Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico as a couple's destination.

Most people don't think of Columbia as a couple's destination. You'll find parks to explore and some nice restaurants that make for a good date night.

Roswell, New Mexico is not always the best place to visit for a couple. It's a bit outside the box as far as destinations go, so couples who enjoy the weird and quirky will enjoy a stop here.

Is Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Students?

Columbia is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Roswell, New Mexico is not popular with students.

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

Roswell, New Mexico is not popular with students.

Is Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Columbia and Roswell, New Mexico offer respectable public transit options.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Roswell, New Mexico. There are buses, but it's easier to have your own car.

Is Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico a more walkable city?

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

Roswell, New Mexico is a somewhat walkable place. The historic district is compact and walkable.

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

For even more information, also check out Is Columbia Worth Visiting? and Is Roswell, New Mexico Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Roswell, New Mexico or Columbia?

How long in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico to fill your time. In our opinion, Columbia has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Columbia than Roswell, New Mexico. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Columbia than Roswell, New Mexico 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 Columbia.

One day in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

In Columbia, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this destination offers. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

A weekend in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Many people visit Columbia for a weekend. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Columbia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

The destination of Columbia offers shopping and museums. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Roswell, New Mexico 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.

A week in Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Columbia. This city offers something for everyone. 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.

Roswell, New Mexico 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.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Roswell, New Mexico, we can see that Roswell, New Mexico 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 Roswell, New Mexico would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Roswell, New Mexico 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 Columbia Expensive? and Is Roswell, New Mexico Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Roswell, New Mexico?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Roswell, New Mexico. When comparing the sizes of Columbia and Roswell, New Mexico, 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.