A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tallahassee vs. Chapel Hill for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tallahassee and Chapel Hill 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.

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is a lively, vibrant, and youthful city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping. See Tallahassee travel costs.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Tallahassee and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Chapel Hill. Although Tallahassee and Chapel Hill are popular destinations, Chapel Hill has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tallahassee is famous for its capital building and many universities. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States. It is also well known for the University of North Carolina.

How is Tallahassee different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chapel Hill and Tallahassee. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Chapel Hill and Tallahassee.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Tallahassee. As the capital city of Florida, you'll find a number of museums around town. Tallahassee Museum has outdoor and indoor space to explore. You can also visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, the Museum of Florida History, or the Florida Historic Capital Museum.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Chapel Hill. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.


Is the Food Better in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Chapel Hill is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Tallahassee offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find plenty of chain restaurants and cheap eateries that cater to the students. The main options are classic American restaurants with a few international restaurants mixed in as well.

Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is great for its evening party scene. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Many people head to Chapel Hill for the nightlife scene. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Tallahassee. The nightlife scene is mostly centered around the student population. There are many bars and pubs that fill up with students on weekends.

Is the Shopping Better in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

If you're looking to go shopping, Tallahassee and Chapel Hill both offer plenty of nice spots.

Tallahassee has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There is no shortage of strip malls and shopping centers in the area. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at Railroad Square and Market Square.

Chapel Hill is a great destination for shopping. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.


Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Both Tallahassee and Chapel Hill are nice to visit with kids.

Tallahassee offers lots of family activities. There are plenty of outdoor parks and adventure activities for kids. You could also see the wild manatees at Wakulla Springs.

Chapel Hill is a family-friendly place to visit. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for couples. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for romance.

Chapel Hill is a good town for couples to visit. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Tallahassee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Head to a restaurant or bar. You could also check out a concert or explore a garden or park in town.

Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Tallahassee is a popular place for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Tallahassee. The student population creates an environment that is welcoming to backpackers. There's also a hostel in town with affordable rooms.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.


Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is an amazing town to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Tallahassee is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Chapel Hill is a very popular town for students. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Many students visit Tallahassee. Both Florida State University and Florida A&M University are located here. There's a large student population with many activities and cheap restaurants that appeal to the student crowd.

Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Chapel Hill offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Public transit is generally limited in Tallahassee. There is a bus system operated by StarMetro.

Is Tallahassee or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Tallahassee
Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Tallahassee is not a good destination for its walkability.

Chapel Hill is a somewhat walkable town. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

Tallahassee is generally not very walkable. There are a couple of walkable areas around Railroad Square, Downtown, and Midtown, but for the most part the city is not pedestrian-friendly.


For even more information, also check out Is Tallahassee Worth Visiting? and Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Tallahassee?

How long in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tallahassee and Chapel Hill. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chapel Hill than in Tallahassee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Tallahassee, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chapel Hill.

Families should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Tallahassee. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chapel Hill, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Tallahassee. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chapel Hill that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chapel Hill than Tallahassee if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chapel Hill.


  • How many days in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill? Ideal Length of Stay
    Tallahassee 1-2 
    Chapel Hill 1-3

One day in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the vibrant city of Tallahassee. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the collegiate town of Chapel Hill. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the youthful destination of Tallahassee. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the collegiate destination of Chapel Hill. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

The lively city of Tallahassee offers museums and nightlife. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

The student-oriented town of Chapel Hill offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.


A week in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting Tallahassee. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Chapel Hill. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Chapel Hill or Tallahassee?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Tallahassee Prices
    USA Prices
    Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tallahassee $190
    Chapel Hill $200

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallahassee is $190, while the average daily cost in Chapel Hill is $200. 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 Tallahassee and Chapel Hill in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallahassee $89
    Chapel Hill $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallahassee $178
    Chapel Hill $190
Compare Hotels in Tallahassee and Chapel Hill

Looking for a hotel in Tallahassee or Chapel Hill? 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.

Hotels in Tallahassee


Hotels in Chapel Hill


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: Tallahassee Hotel Prices and Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallahassee $33
    Chapel Hill $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Prices for flights to both Chapel Hill and Tallahassee 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 day
    Tallahassee $82
    Chapel Hill $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallahassee $12
    Chapel Hill $17

Tours and Activities in Tallahassee

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tallahassee.

  • Treacherous Tallahassee Ghost Tours: $24
  • Luxury Picnic Experience at Pedrick Pond Park: $108
  • Experience Tranquility with a Picnic at Pedrick Pond Park: $120
  • Tallahassee Tranquility: A Scenic Walking Tour: $215

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallahassee $53
    Chapel Hill $40

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallahassee

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tallahassee:

  • Tallahassee Bar Crawl: $15


When comparing the travel costs between Tallahassee and Chapel Hill, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Tallahassee Expensive? and Is Chapel Hill Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Tallahassee has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Tallahassee and Chapel Hill, 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 Tallahassee or Chapel Hill?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tallahassee or Chapel Hill in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tallahassee as well as Chapel Hill. Many travelers come to Tallahassee for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Tallahassee is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallahassee averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chapel Hill. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallahassee this time of the year. In the summer, Tallahassee often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chapel Hill. Tallahassee receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tallahassee usually gets more rain in July than Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tallahassee 82°F (28°C) 
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Tallahassee or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

Both Chapel Hill and Tallahassee are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tallahassee in the autumn for the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Tallahassee is a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallahassee in October average around 69°F (20°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tallahassee. Tallahassee usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during autumn. Tallahassee gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tallahassee usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Tallahassee is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tallahassee 69°F (20°C) 
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Tallahassee or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

Both Chapel Hill and Tallahassee during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tallahassee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chapel Hill because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Chapel Hill can be very cold. In January, Tallahassee is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Tallahassee average around 51°F (11°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Tallahassee often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Tallahassee usually gets more rain in January than Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tallahassee 51°F (11°C) 
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Tallahassee or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallahassee and Chapel Hill.

Tallahassee is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallahassee averages around 67°F (19°C) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Tallahassee, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tallahassee usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during spring. Tallahassee gets 295 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

Tallahassee gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tallahassee usually receives more rain than Chapel Hill. Tallahassee gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Tallahassee is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tallahassee 67°F (19°C) 
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Tallahassee

Tallahassee Chapel Hill
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 60°F (16°C) 5.9 inches (151 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 67°F (19°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 6.6 inches (168 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.9 inches (227 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (175 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 6.7 inches (169 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 69°F (20°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 60°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 54°F (12°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)