Which place is cheaper, Boston or Berkshires?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Berkshires or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Berkshires and Boston 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: Berkshires or Boston?
Berkshires
The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.
The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkshires $244Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Berkshires and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkshires $141Boston $166
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkshires $282Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or Boston? 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: Berkshires Hotel Prices and Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkshires $47Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi$35
-
Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $129
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $167
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $78
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $242
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
- Boston Logan Airport to Killington/Okemo Private Transfer: $282
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Berkshires 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 dayBerkshires $73Boston $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Solo Walking Tour : $5.50
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $54
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $80
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $80
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkshires $25Boston $33
Tours and Activities in Berkshires
Here are a few actual costs in Berkshires for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Guided Private Forest Bathing Experience Lenox: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
-
Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
-
Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $4.27
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- Charlestown: Bunker Hill Monument Self-Guide Walking Tour: $7.99
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkshires $31Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Salem Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Berkshires and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Berkshires Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Boston?
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 Berkshires or Boston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Boston. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Berkshires is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 72°F (22°C), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Berkshires, it's very sunny this time of the year. Berkshires usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during summer. Berkshires gets 289 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Berkshires usually receives around the same amount of rain as Boston. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkshires 72°F (22°C)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Boston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Boston. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Berkshires is cooler than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 51°F (11°C) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Berkshires often gets less sunshine than Boston. Berkshires gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.
Berkshires usually gets less rain in October than Boston. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkshires 51°F (11°C)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Boston can be very cold during winter. Berkshires can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Berkshires is much colder than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berkshires in January average around 22°F (-6°C), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).
Berkshires usually receives less sunshine than Boston during winter. Berkshires gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Boston. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkshires 22°F (-6°C)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Boston in the Spring?
Both Boston and Berkshires during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Berkshires is generally around the same temperature as Boston. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 47°F (9°C), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Berkshires. In the spring, Berkshires often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Berkshires gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.
Berkshires usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkshires 47°F (9°C)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Berkshires
| Berkshires | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 47°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.