Which place is cheaper, Raleigh or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Raleigh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Raleigh? 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: Hot Springs or Raleigh?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesRaleigh Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Raleigh $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Raleigh is $231. 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 Hot Springs and Raleigh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Raleigh $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Raleigh $208
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Raleigh
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Raleigh? 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.
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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Raleigh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Raleigh $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $139
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $277
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Raleigh?
Prices for flights to both Raleigh and Hot Springs 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
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Raleigh $99
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)$84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Craft Beer Bar in Raleigh: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Raleigh $37
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Raleigh Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS App Walking Tour : $9.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Chapel Hill NC: $15
- Durham African-American Historic Walking Tour: $18
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches History and Architecture Tour: $18
- Raleigh True Crime Tour: $19
- Historic Oakwood: History & Architecture Tour: $19
- Downtown Cary Historian-Guided Tour: $19
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $19
- Chapel Hill LGBT History Tour: $19
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $19
- Chapel Hill True Crime Walking Tour: $19
- Durham True Crime Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Raleigh $27
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Raleigh, we can see that Raleigh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Raleigh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Raleigh?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Raleigh, 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 Hot Springs or Raleigh?
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 Hot Springs or Raleigh in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Raleigh. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
In July, Hot Springs is generally around the same temperature as Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Raleigh during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.
Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Raleigh 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Raleigh in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Raleigh. Additionally, many travelers come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Raleigh in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Raleigh fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 211 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Raleigh 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Raleigh in the Winter?
Both Raleigh and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Raleigh in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.
Raleigh can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Raleigh. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Raleigh averages at about 40°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Raleigh during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Raleigh 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Raleigh in the Spring?
Both Raleigh and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Raleigh for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).
In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 251 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Raleigh. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Raleigh 60°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Raleigh and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Raleigh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.