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

Should you visit Durham or Saint John?

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 Durham and Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Durham or Saint John?

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

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 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 Durham and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Durham 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 Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.

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

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

Durham 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 Durham or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Saint John. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Durham is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Durham in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Durham gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Saint John. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Durham or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Durham as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In October, Durham is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 61°F (16°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Durham usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Saint John in the Winter?

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

The weather in Durham can be very cold. Durham is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Saint John. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Durham or Saint John in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Durham is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Durham in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Durham usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 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 Durham