A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kingston or Columbia River Gorge?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge 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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Columbia River Gorge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Columbia River Gorge. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. Kingston is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kingston or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Kingston