Which place is cheaper, Maine or North Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit North Carolina or Maine?
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 North Carolina and Maine can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: North Carolina or Maine?
North Carolina
North Carolina is a diverse state in the southern United States. The state has a variety of landscapes, with mountains, forests, and beaches all represented. The state's elevation ranges from sea level to 6,684 feet on Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point in North America east of the Mississippi. There are large cosmopolitan cities like Charlotte, and there are quaint college towns like Chapel Hill. North Carolina is the nineth most populous state in the country and the economy is currently centered around engineering, energy, biotechnology, and finance. Historically, the state's economy developed from the tobacco, textile, and furniture making industries.
Maine
The U.S. state of Maine is situated in the northeastern most region of the country. While it is known for its rugged rocky coastline and maritime history, the state also has a landscape of rolling mountains carpeted in thick pine forests, with many peaceful lakes popular with visitors seeking a close to nature kind of getaway. The capital city is Augusta, though the most populous is Portland, which has much to offer in sightseeing attractions and activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
-
North Carolina Prices
USA PricesMaine Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Carolina $215Maine $241
The average daily cost (per person) in North Carolina is $215, while the average daily cost in Maine is $241. 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 North Carolina and Maine in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Carolina $112Maine $107
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Carolina $224Maine $214
Compare Hotels in North Carolina and Maine
Looking for a hotel in North Carolina or Maine? 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Carolina $36Maine $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maine
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maine:
- Private Transfer from Portland Cruise Port to Portland city: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland city to Portland Cruise Port: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Port to Portland Jetport (PWM): $136
- Private Transfer from Rockland Cruise Port to Bangor Airport(BGR): $209
- Private Transfer from Rockland Cruise Port to Bangor City Hotels: $209
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $210
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into North Carolina or Maine?
Prices for flights to both Maine and North Carolina 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 dayNorth Carolina $75Maine $85
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.North Carolina $25Maine $33
Tours and Activities in Maine
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Maine are as follows:
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $7.75
- Historical Walking Tour of Portland’s Old Port District: $7.99
- Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $9.50
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Portland by Crazy Dash: $10
- Portland Maine Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $13
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour: $15
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $16
- Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Carolina $29Maine $23
Sample the Local Flavors in Maine
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Maine:
- Portland Old Port Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $99
When comparing the travel costs between North Carolina and Maine, we can see that Maine 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 North Carolina Expensive? and Is Maine Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, North Carolina or Maine?
North Carolina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Maine. When comparing the sizes of North Carolina and Maine, 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.
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.