Which place is cheaper, New York City or Boca Raton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boca Raton and New York City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Boca Raton is a posh, outdoorsy, and relaxed coastal city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.
New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Boca Raton. New York City is bigger than Boca Raton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Boca Raton is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. New York City is more touristy than Boca Raton and is known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Boca Raton is well known for its golf courses, outdoor recreational activities, and safe atmosphere.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City and Boca Raton. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
New York City is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its sights and museums.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, New York City has many famous sights for visitors. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
Boca Raton offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. While most visitors focus on the beaches and outdoor activities in the area, there are also a surprising number of museums that you can visit. On a rainy day head to the Boca Raton Museum of Art or the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. Sports enthusiasts will like the Sports Immortals Museum and kids will want to check out the Children's Science Explorium.
New York City is a world-class destination for its shows and theatre. However, Boca Raton is not a theatre destination.
New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.
Boca Raton is not a theatre destination.
New York City is a world-class destination for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boca Raton makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find a mix of local and international flavors with both casual and upscale dining available. Reservations are recommended, particularly on weekend nights. For the health-conscious, there's also a nice selection of healthy eateries to choose from.
New York City is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for nightlife.
People head to New York City just to party. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.
Boca Raton has plenty to do after the sun goes down. You'll find plenty of upscale wine bars, cocktail bars, and live music venues that will keep you entertained late into the evening.
New York City is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Boca Raton is not a live music destination.
New York City has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.
Boca Raton is not a live music destination.
Boca Raton is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New York City is not a resort destination.
There are plenty of resorts in Boca Raton to choose from. You'll find many luxury beachside resorts that offer all of the amenities, from access to golf course to family-friendly kids clubs.
New York City is not a resort destination.
Boca Raton is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New York City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Boca Raton. Head to the "Aqua Zoo", which is just to the south of Boca Inlet to see stingrays, groupers, and moray eels. Red Reef Park offers excellent snorkeling as well.
New York City is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Boca Raton is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, New York City is not a beach destination.
Boca Raton offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There's a two mile stretch of beautiful sandy beaches that are all monitored by lifeguards. The beaches offer all of the facilities that you might need such as picnic areas, restrooms, and showers. Many beaches are part of park land and some offer nice snorkeling. Some of the most popular beaches in the area include Spanish River Park, Bark Park Dog Beach, Red Reef Beach, and South Beach Park.
New York City is not a beach destination.
Boca Raton is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, New York City is not a hiking destination.
Boca Raton offers some nice hiking trails. There's a surprising number of nature parks in the area that have hiking trails, nature walks, and beach paths that are fun to explore.
New York City is not a hiking destination.
New York City is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for shopping.
Many people travel to New York City specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.
Boca Raton is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's an upscale area, and you'll find no shortage of luxury shopping around town. Popular areas for shopping include Downtown Boca, Mizner Park, and the Town Center at Boca Raton.
New York City is a world-class destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Boca Raton does not offer Christmas activities.
With so many activities, New York City is a top place to visit during Christmas. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.
Boca Raton does not offer Christmas activities.
New York City is great for visiting Christmas markets. However, Boca Raton does not offer Christmas markets.
New York City offers plenty of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.
Boca Raton does not offer Christmas markets.
Both Boca Raton and New York City are excellent family-friendly destinations.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Boca Raton. It's an upscale area with a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Many of the hotels have kids clubs that will keep the young ones entertained. The area also has nature centers, children's museums, and waterparks that will ensure everyone stays entertained.
New York City is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.
New York City is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.
New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.
Boca Raton is a very popular place to visit for couples. There's an upscale vibe with plenty of nature trails and nice beaches. Many of the hotels offer a touch of luxury that honeymooning couples will appreciate. You can also head to the downtown area for music, events, and museums.
New York City is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Boca Raton is not a good destination for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.
Boca Raton is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's known for its upscale luxury, and you won't find much in the form of hostels or backpacker-friendly accommodation.
New York City is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Boca Raton is not popular with students.
New York City is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.
Boca Raton is not popular with students.
New York City is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its public transit.
With a huge network, the transit system in New York City can get you around easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.
Boca Raton has a few public transit options. The Downtowner is a fleet of free, oversized golf cars that shuttle visitors around town, passing by many top sites such as Mizner Park, Red Reef Park, and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. There's also a public bus system, Palm Tran, that offers service around town.
New York City is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Boca Raton is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its walkability.
New York City is a very easy city to get around on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.
Boca Raton is somewhat walkable. There are some communities within the city that are more walkable than others, particularly East Boca Raton, Royal Palm Place, and Mizner Park. There are also many pedestrian and bike paths around town. Even so, you really must have a car to explore the area in depth.
For even more information, also check out Is Boca Raton Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.
Both Boca Raton and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Boca Raton. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boca Raton, and 3-7 days is enough time in New York City.
Families should spend more time in New York City than Boca Raton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in New York City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in New York City than Boca Raton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Boca Raton 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 New York City.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the relaxed destination of Boca Raton. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boca Raton. Most people come for the beaches. Don't miss the beaches, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the posh destination of Boca Raton. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
New York City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the coastal city of Boca Raton. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
New York City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boca Raton is $283, 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 Boca Raton and New York City in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Boca Raton 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.
Also for Boca Raton, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both New York City and Boca Raton 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.
For Boca Raton, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boca Raton.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
When comparing the travel costs between Boca Raton and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 Boca Raton Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
New York City has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the sizes of Boca Raton and New York City, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and New York City. The summer months attract visitors to Boca Raton because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the summer, Boca Raton is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Boca Raton in July average around 82°F (28°C), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than New York City. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as New York City. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Boca Raton this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Boca Raton is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 78°F (25°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Boca Raton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Boca Raton usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Boca Raton is the hurricane season.
Both New York City and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Boca Raton for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
New York City can get quite cold in the winter. Boca Raton is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Boca Raton usually receives less rain than New York City. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both New York City and Boca Raton during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Boca Raton in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Boca Raton is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Boca Raton in April average around 74°F (23°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Boca Raton usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Boca Raton is June to November.
Boca Raton | New York City | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Feb | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Mar | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
May | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Nov | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Dec | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |