A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Duck Key vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Duck Key or Columbia?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Duck Key or Columbia?

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Columbia or Duck Key?

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

  • Duck Key Prices
    USA Prices
    Columbia Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Duck Key $175
    Columbia $0.00

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 Duck Key and Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck Key $56
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck Key $112
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Columbia? 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 Duck Key


Hotels in Columbia


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: Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Duck Key $69
    Columbia -

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia and Duck Key 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
    Duck Key $77
    Columbia $8.70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Duck Key $30
    Columbia -

Tours and Activities in Columbia

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:

  • Lanterns and Lunacy of the Lost: Cruel Columbia Ghost Tours: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck Key $7.99
    Columbia $88


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


Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Columbia?

Columbia has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Columbia, 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 Duck Key or Columbia?

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 Duck Key or Columbia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Columbia. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Columbia because of the family-friendly experiences.

Duck Key is around the same temperature as Columbia in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Columbia fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the summer, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. Duck Key usually gets less rain in July than Columbia. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C) 
    Columbia 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Columbia in the Autumn?

Both Columbia and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

In the autumn, Duck Key is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Columbia averages at about 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during autumn. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Columbia. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the winter, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Duck Key usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Duck Key or Columbia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Columbia.

Duck Key is a little warmer than Columbia in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during spring. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Columbia. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Columbia and Duck Key

Duck Key Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)