Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Providence?
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 Providence or Fairfield?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Providence and Fairfield. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Providence or Fairfield?
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Providence Prices
USA PricesFairfield Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayProvidence $245Fairfield $153
The average daily cost (per person) in Providence is $245, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $153. 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 Providence and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personProvidence $114Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomProvidence $228Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Providence and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Providence or Fairfield? 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: Providence Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Providence $46Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $133
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $125
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Providence to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $40
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $40
- Private Airport Transfer TO/FROM Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Providence or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Providence 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 dayProvidence $82Fairfield $53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $99
- Federal Hill Dinner Stroll A Guided Italian Culinary Experience: $150
- Federal Hill Dinner Stroll with Italian Dinner: $150
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Providence $26Fairfield $13
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Providence Downtown and Brown Self Guided App GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal: $46
- Creative Capital: Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $40
- Dark Tales: Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $35
- Dark Tales: The Haunted Authors of Providence Tour: $30
- Discover Providence Guided Sightseeing Tour: $45
- Haunted Boat Tours: $54
- Haunted Boat Tours in Providence: $55
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Historic Providence Boat Tours: $45
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Providence RI: $15
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayProvidence $13Fairfield -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Providence and Fairfield, we can see that Providence is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence than you might in Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Providence Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Providence or Fairfield?
Providence has a larger population, and is about 68% larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Providence and Fairfield, 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 Providence or Fairfield?
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 Providence or Fairfield in the Summer?
Both Fairfield and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Providence for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Providence is around the same temperature as Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Providence usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyProvidence 73°F (23°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Providence or Fairfield in the Autumn?
Both Fairfield and Providence during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Providence because of the shopping scene.
In October, Providence is generally cooler than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Providence. In the autumn, Providence often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.
Providence usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberProvidence 53°F (12°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Providence or Fairfield in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Fairfield. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Providence this time of year.
It's quite cold in Providence in the winter. Providence is much colder than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
Providence usually receives more sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Providence usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryProvidence 28°F (-2°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Providence or Fairfield in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Providence as well as Fairfield.
In the spring, Providence is cooler than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In the spring, Providence often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.
Providence usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilProvidence 48°F (9°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Providence
| Providence | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.