Which place is cheaper, New York City or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or New York City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or New York City?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, 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 Hot Springs and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $142
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:
- Manhattan: Bus Transfer from/to Newark Airport: $21
- New York: 1-Way Transfer to/from JFK & Grand Central Station: $27
- Midtown/Lower Manhattan -JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $29
- Private Departure Transfers from Upper Manhattan to JFK Airport: $34
- Newark Liberty International Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to / from NYC: $34
- EWR to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
- Manhattan to EWR: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
- Manhattan to JFK: One Way Shared Departure Transfer : $34
- Manhattan to LGA: One Way Shared Departure Transfer: $34
- LGA to Manhattan: One Way Shared Arrival Transfer: $34
- NYC: One-Way Shared Transfer to or from Newark Airport: $36
- Manhattan: Shared Transfer to or from LaGuardia Airport: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $52New 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: $26
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $41
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- Ultimate Greenwich Village NYC Food Tour: $63
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
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: $3.21
- 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
- Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $5.39
- New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour: $5.39
- Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: $5.45
- Central Park Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Self Guided "Central Park Movie Tour" Solo Walking Tour in New York City: $6.75
- Private Haunted and Historic Audio Tour in Greenwich Village: $6.95
- 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 dayHot Springs $22New 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: $22
- NYC Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
- New York Wine Tasting Experience : $98
- Guided Brooklyn Craft Brewery Tour: $99
- 1920s Schooner Sail with Wine Tasting: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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.
When is the best time to visit Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 83°F (28°C) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 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 JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and New York City. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the autumn, Hot Springs is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hot Springs in October average around 64°F (18°C), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than New York City. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 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 OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New York City in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as New York City. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In January, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 40°F (4°C), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Hot Springs usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 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 JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Hot Springs is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 65°F (18°C) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than New York City. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 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 AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 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.