Which place is cheaper, New York City or Berkshires?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkshires or New York City?
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 New York City 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 New York City?
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.
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.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkshires $244New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in New York City is $326. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkshires $141New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkshires $282New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkshires $47New York City $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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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:
- 10-Minute Helicopter Transfer from Manhattan to JFK : $245
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Airport Transfer and Chauffeur Services NYC & New Jersey : $150
- Arrival Private Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York in Business Car: $151
- Arrival Transfer from LaGuardia Airport LGA to Manhattan by Car: $130
- Arrival Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $162
- Bronx - LGA: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $100
- Brooklyn - JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $100
- Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers : $171
- Central Park Zoo Skip the line Tickets and Private Transfers : $291
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Departure Private Transfer from Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport LGA by Luxury Car: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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
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Food Meals for one dayBerkshires $73New York City $50
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
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:
- New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $23
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $37
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- Shared Food Tour Bohemian Greenwichvillage: $45
- East Village Food Tour: $60
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkshires $25New York City $180
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 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
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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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:
- Central Park NYC: First Discovery Walk and Reading Tour: $3.20
- Marvel Universe in New York In-app Audio Tour in English: $5.00
- Central Park: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- Brooklyn Bridge Self-Guided Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- New York City's Financial District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $5.41
- Central Park Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.53
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- NYC: Central Park Exploration Game and Tour: $6.93
- Self-Guided Tour of the Museum at Eldridge Street: $7.50
- Docent-Led Tour of the Museum at Eldridge Street: $7.50
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkshires $31New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $19
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $21
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $35
- NYC: Boos & Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Berkshires much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Berkshires would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Berkshires 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 Berkshires.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Berkshires or New York City?
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 Berkshires or New York City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as New York City. Additionally, many travelers come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Berkshires is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 72°F (22°C), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Berkshires usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkshires 72°F (22°C)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to New York City 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 New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 51°F (11°C) in October, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In October, Berkshires usually receives less rain than New York City. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkshires 51°F (11°C)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Berkshires during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
New York City can be very cold during winter. Berkshires can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Berkshires is much colder than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berkshires in January average around 22°F (-6°C), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C).
Berkshires usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkshires 22°F (-6°C)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or New York City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and New York City. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New York City because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Berkshires is generally cooler than New York City. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 47°F (9°C), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In April, Berkshires usually receives less rain than New York City. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkshires 47°F (9°C)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Berkshires
| Berkshires | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 47°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 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.