Which place is cheaper, Boston or Duck Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Duck Key or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and Boston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Boston?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $143Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $143, 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 Duck Key and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key 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: Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston downtown-to the Airport (BOS): $138
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $96
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $959
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Private Transfer from Boston to Flynn Cruiseport Boston: $116
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $103
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $88
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $103
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Duck Key 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 dayDuck Key $45Boston $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- 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 Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $79
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30Boston $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1-Day Tour to Portland-Maine from Boston: $175
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Boston Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $43
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $423
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $216
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Boston?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 1200 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Boston, 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 Duck Key or Boston?
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 Duck Key or Boston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Boston. Additionally, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the summer, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Boston. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Duck Key is much warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Boston. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. In the winter, Duck Key is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).
It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the winter, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than Boston. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Boston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Boston. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Duck Key is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Duck Key usually receives less rain than Boston. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Duck Key
| Duck Key | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.