A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Moncton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Moncton 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: Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton?

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

Moncton

Moncton is the largest city in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Located in the Petitcodiac River Valley with access to the Bay of Fundy, and, by extension, the Atlantic Ocean, Moncton is also at the geographic center of Canada's Maritime Provinces. Today, the city's most famous attraction is Magnetic Hill, though there are also plenty of parks, museums, galleries, theatres, and other venues for entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Moncton, we can see that Moncton is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Moncton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moncton than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Moncton, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Moncton. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is cooler than Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 63°F (17°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in July than Moncton. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Moncton. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Moncton can be very cold during winter. In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 51°F (11°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Moncton. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

The weather in Moncton can be very cold. Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Moncton. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Carmel-by-the-Sea