Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or Charlotte?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Charlotte, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Charlotte?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
Charlotte
With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see 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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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesCharlotte Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Charlotte $225
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $225. 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 Kingston and Charlotte in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Charlotte $118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Charlotte $236
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Charlotte
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Charlotte? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Charlotte Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Charlotte $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $261
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $261
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $259
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande: $200
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Private Airport Transfer From/To Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): $56
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Charlotte?
Prices for flights to both Charlotte and Kingston 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 dayKingston $45Charlotte $80
Typical Food Prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
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Pizza at Airport$4.03
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)$29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlotte
For Charlotte, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in Charlotte: $75
- Colorful Grain Bowl Cooking Class with a Local Chef in Charlotte: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Charlotte $43
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
- Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
- Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
- Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour - Smartphone guided audio/gps Tour at your own pace: $6.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Gastonia NC: $15
- Mint Museum General Admission Tickets for 2 Locations: $15
- UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided City Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
- 1 Hour Race Car or Flight Simulator Experience in Charlotte: $16
- Charlotte's Premier Historical City Walking Tour: $19
- Sea Life Charlotte Concord Aquarium Admission Ticket: $20
- Charlottesville: Downtown History & Culture Walking Tours: $23
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24
- Queen’s City Black Legacy Walking Tour: $26
- Carolina History and Haunts Charlotte Historical Ghost Walking Tour: $27
- Charlotte Historical Guided Open-Air Small Group Minibus Tour: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Charlotte $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
- Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $39
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery in Charlotte: $47
- The Original Charlotte Brewery Tour - Craft Beer Experience: $150
- 2 Vineyard Wine Tour of the Yadkin Valley: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Charlotte, we can see that Charlotte is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Charlotte is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Charlotte would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlotte than you might in Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Charlotte Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Charlotte?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Charlotte. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Charlotte, 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 Kingston or Charlotte?
Charlotte has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Charlotte in the Summer?
Both Charlotte and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Charlotte in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Charlotte fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
In Charlotte, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Charlotte. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.
Charlotte gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Charlotte. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Charlotte 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlotte in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Charlotte. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlotte during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Charlotte 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlotte in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Charlotte. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlotte for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Charlotte. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Charlotte. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Charlotte 42°F (6°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlotte in the Spring?
Both Charlotte and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Charlotte in the spring for the activities around the city.
Kingston is much warmer than Charlotte in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlotte. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Charlotte 63°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Charlotte and Kingston
| Kingston | Charlotte | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.