A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Columbia vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Columbia or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Saint John? 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: Columbia or Saint John?

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Columbia is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Columbia or Saint John?

Columbia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Saint John. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Saint John. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Columbia or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Saint John. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Columbia is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Columbia or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Columbia is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbia in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Columbia usually receives more rain than Saint John. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Columbia or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Columbia during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In April, Columbia is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint John. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Columbia