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

Should you visit Roanoke or Saint John?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Roanoke or Saint John? 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: Roanoke or Saint John?

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

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 Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Roanoke much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Roanoke 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 Roanoke would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roanoke 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 Roanoke.

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

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

Roanoke 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 Roanoke or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Roanoke for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

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

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. Roanoke usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Roanoke is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 60°F (16°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Roanoke usually receives less rain than Saint John. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Roanoke or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Roanoke during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

It's quite cold in Roanoke in the winter. Roanoke is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 38°F (3°C) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Roanoke usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Roanoke is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Roanoke in April average around 59°F (15°C), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In April, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Saint John. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Roanoke