Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Mandeville?
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 Mandeville or Charleston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Mandeville or Charleston? 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: Mandeville or Charleston?
Mandeville
Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Mandeville Prices
Jamaica PricesCharleston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMandeville $95Charleston $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $95, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $212. 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 Mandeville and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMandeville $37Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMandeville $74Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Charleston? 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: Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mandeville $30Charleston $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Mandeville 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 dayMandeville $41Charleston $100
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
- Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mandeville $8.01Charleston $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 2-Hour Tiki Boat Tour in Folly Beach: $75
- 2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island: $325
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 90 Minute Sightseeing Bus Tour of Historic Charleston: $32
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- A Ghost Tour with 10 ORIGINAL Stories AND Equipment!: $35
- Afternoon Charleston Harbor Boat Cruise: Family Friendly Scenic: $58
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $44
- Beat The Heat! Evening Walking History Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMandeville $6.27Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Charleston, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Charleston is in North America, 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Mandeville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Charleston?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Mandeville. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Charleston, 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 Mandeville or Charleston?
Charleston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mandeville or Charleston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Charleston. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Charleston in the summer for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Mandeville is around the same temperature as Charleston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Charleston averages at about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mandeville this time of the year. In the summer, Mandeville often gets less sunshine than Charleston. Mandeville gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charleston. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Charleston. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMandeville 29°C (83°F)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Charleston in the Autumn?
Both Charleston and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Mandeville is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Charleston fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mandeville. Mandeville usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during autumn. Mandeville gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Charleston. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMandeville 28°C (82°F)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Charleston in the Winter?
Both Charleston and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Charleston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Mandeville is much warmer than Charleston in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
It's quite sunny in Mandeville. In the winter, Mandeville often gets more sunshine than Charleston. Mandeville gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.
Mandeville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Charleston. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMandeville 26°C (79°F)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit Mandeville or Charleston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Charleston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Furthermore, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
In the spring, Mandeville is a little warmer than Charleston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Charleston averages at about 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In Mandeville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mandeville usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during spring. Mandeville gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Charleston. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMandeville 26°C (80°F)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and Mandeville
| Mandeville | Charleston | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 51°F (10°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.