Should you visit Atlanta or New York City?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or New York City, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
Which city is cheaper, New York City or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $136, while the average daily cost in New York City is $238. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Atlanta and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Atlanta can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $72, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $144.
For a normal double-occupancy room in New York City, $274 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in New York City, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $137, such as in a hostel.
Food
Food in Atlanta costs travelers about $33 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
New York City food costs typically run travelers around $37 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Atlanta $33
New York City $37
Typical Food prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
-
Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
$15
-
Lunch
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour:
$75
-
Grant Park Past & Future Food Tour:
$75
-
2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta:
$75
-
Atlanta's Southern Food Tour:
$86
-
Modern Southern Food Tour of Historic Inman Park:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta:
$116
-
Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option:
$249
Typical Food prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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New York: Dumbo Food Tour:
$13
-
SoHo, Little Italy and Chinatown Lunch or Dinner Tour:
$48
-
Chinatown Food Tour:
$50
-
Brooklyn: 3-Hour Williamsburg Bites Food Tour:
$56
-
New York Pizza, Beer, and History Tour:
$69
-
Midtown Manhattan: Sights & Bites Food Tour:
$69
-
New York Lower East Side Food Tour:
$75
-
Lonely Planet Experiences: Brooklyn Small-Group Food Tour:
$79
-
Brooklyn: 4.5-Hour Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour:
$82
-
Food Tour of Chinatown New York:
$89
-
New York City Food Tour:
$89
-
New York Chinatown and Downtown Walking and Food Tour:
$114
Local Transportation
Atlanta's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $34 per person, per day on transportation in Atlanta.
To get around in New York City, the average visitor spends $39 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
-
MARTA Subway Ticket
$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer in executive private vehicle from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport:
$53
-
Transfer in executive private vehicle from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Downtown:
$53
-
Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport:
$67
-
Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Downtown:
$67
-
Transfer from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta:
$83
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan from-to Atlanta Airport - Camp Cove Crest:
$433
-
RoundTrip Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from-to Airport-Atlanta Downtown:
$133
-
Round trip transfer in executive private car from-to Airport - Atlanta Downtown:
$105
-
Private Transfer: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL) to Atlanta:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Atlanta to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta Int. Airport (ATL):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Atlanta City to Atlanta (ATL) Airport:
$107
-
Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City:
$107
Typical Local Transportation prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway
$4.50
-
Taxi Ride
$8.00
-
Subway
$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Departure Transfer from Hamptons, NY to JFK or LGA Airport:
$513
-
Private transfer from or to JFK , LGA , EWR , PHL airports , NY and Philadelphia:
$288
-
Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - Newark Liberty International Airport - MKT:
$256
-
Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - John F Kennedy Airport - Lincoln MKT:
$239
-
Private New York City Airport Departure Transfer:
$229
-
New York Newark Liberty Airport Private 1-Way Transfer:
$216
-
New York JFK Airport Departure Transfer (Brooklyn Hotels to JFK Airport):
$216
-
Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT:
$194
-
Private SUV New York City Airport Departure Transfer:
$190
-
New York Airport Luxury Transfer : New York City to Newark Airport:
$181
-
Private New York City Transfer: New York City Hotel to EWR Airport:
$180
-
Private Airport Transfer in New York:
$180
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Atlanta 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Atlanta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In New York City, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $77 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
-
3 Hour Hollywood of the South Private Atlanta Film Locations Tour:
$136
-
3 Hour Private Gone With the Wind Tour of Margaret Mitchell's Atlanta:
$136
-
6-Day Charleston+North Carolina+Tennessee Tour (Atlanta departure)(G6):
$888
-
A City in a Forest: Private Atlanta Nature Tour:
$136
-
Art on the Streets: Private Atlanta Public and Street Art Tour:
$136
-
Atlanta 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus:
$70
-
Atlanta Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$27
-
Atlanta Beltline Small Group Walking Tour:
$38
-
Atlanta Black History and Civil Rights Tour:
$67
-
Atlanta Brew Bus Tour:
$71
-
Atlanta City Private Hop-on Hop-off Tour by Bus:
$700
-
Atlanta City Tour by Convertible:
$77
Typical Entertainment prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets
$56
-
City Map
$8.00
-
Broadway Musical
$111
-
Broadway Show Program
$10
-
Magazine
$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
1 or 2-Hour Central Park Sightseeing Pedicab Tour:
$108
-
2-Hour Cowboys and Cookies Historic Tour of NYC's High Line:
$30
-
24-Hour NYC Downtown Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Statue of Liberty Cruise:
$35
-
4-Day Tour of America from New York City:
$713
-
4-hour Harlem Gospel Tour in New York City:
$65
-
5.5-Hour New York City Tour:
$69
-
6-Hour New York City Tour:
$159
-
6-Hour Private Tour of Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx or Harlem:
$659
-
9/11 Memorial & Ground Zero Tour with Optional Skip-the-Line 9/11 Museum Ticket:
$35
-
9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket:
$28
-
9/11 Memorial Tour with Optional One World Observatory Entry:
$35
-
9/11 Tribute Museum Admission Ticket:
$12
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Atlanta, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
Typically, people visiting New York City spend on average $23 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
-
Atlanta Bar Hunt: All About Atlanta Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Krog Street Market Pub Crawl:
$36
-
Atlanta Brewery Guided Tours:
$65
-
Three Vineyard Classic Wine Tasting Tour:
$165
-
Explore Rabun County - Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour:
$170
-
Georgia Horseback Ride with Wine Tasting:
$204
-
Private Wine Tasting Tour of Three Vineyards:
$210
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
-
Greenwich Village Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Pub Crawl Tour of Historic Stone Street:
$40
-
New York Hell's Kitchen 3-Hour Pub Crawl:
$75
-
Wine Tasting Sail Aboard The Classic Schooner Shearwater:
$101
-
Long Island Wine Tour:
$105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Atlanta.
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