Which place is cheaper, Alaska or South 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 South Carolina or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between South Carolina and Alaska can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: South Carolina or Alaska?
South Carolina
The U.S. state of South Carolina is a part of the American South-rich in all the culture, cuisine, and countryside that make up the region. From the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to a stunning coastline with many charming towns in between, the landscape of South Carolina is full of things to do and see. There are many great opportunities to dive into the past while indulging in the culture that thrives today.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
-
South Carolina Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Carolina $242Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in South Carolina is $242, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 South Carolina and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Carolina $96Alaska $135
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Carolina $192Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in South Carolina and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in South Carolina or Alaska? 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.South Carolina $33Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Carolina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in South Carolina:
- Private Departure Transfer to Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): $36
- Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
- Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport (ANC): $62
- Anchorage to Whittier Direct Transfer Tour: $75
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $75
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Whittier to Anchorage Land Transfer Tour With AWCC: $199
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $227
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $227
- Seward to Anchorage transfer with National Park hike and AWCC: $249
- Seward to Anchorage Scenic Transfer Photo Tour: $295
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into South Carolina or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and South 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 daySouth Carolina $88Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Carolina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in South Carolina.
- Riga Tony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show : $60
- Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
- Adventure Luau - Polynesian Dinner Show: $69
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $128
- Lowcountry Boil Dinner Cruise on Hilton Head: $148
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner : $120
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour - Winter & Summer: $195
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $239
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $270
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Carolina $25Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in South Carolina
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for South Carolina are as follows:
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Epic Royalty Themed Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Greenville: $10
- Charleston Self Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in Charleston: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Myrtle Beach SC: $15
- South Carolina Audio Tour: Charleston Audio Tour Adventure: $15
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Skagway Downtown Walking Private Tour Experience: $9.75
- Discover Seward: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $49
- Anchorage Trolley's Deluxe City Tour: $50
- Juneau City Tour: $52
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $58
- City Highlights Totem Parks and Sightseeing: $59
- Anchorage City Tour, w/Choc Factory Samplings: $59
- Anchorage's Winter City Tour = Samples + Stops + WildLife: $59
- Ghosts of Historic Sitka - Walking Tour: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Carolina $30Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in South Carolina
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in South Carolina:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl : $75
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour!: $159
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
When comparing the travel costs between South Carolina and Alaska, we can see that Alaska 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 South Carolina Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Carolina or Alaska?
South Carolina has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of South Carolina and Alaska, 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.