Which place is cheaper, Memphis or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Memphis?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Memphis, 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 Memphis?
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.
Memphis
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Memphis $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Memphis is $167. 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 Memphis in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Memphis $84
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Memphis $168
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Memphis
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Memphis? 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 Memphis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Memphis $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Memphis
Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Memphis Airport MEM to Hot Springs Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $285
- Memphis Airport Transfers: $60
- Guided Tour with Riverboat Cruise & Hotel Transfers: $339
- Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM: $72
- Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Memphis?
Prices for flights to both Memphis 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 $27Memphis $43
Typical Food Prices in Memphis
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:
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Baskin Robins (for 2)$6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis
For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Memphis $45
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
Tours and Activities in Memphis
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Beale Street: $6.50
- Beale Street Experience Audio App Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Memphis Music Hall of Fame Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Downtown In-App Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Memphis by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
- Entry Ticket to the Edge Motor Museum: $10
- Rock 'n' Soul Museum with Audio Tour: $11
- Brews, Blues and BBQ Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Woodruff-Fontaine House Museum Admission Ticket in Memphis: $15
- 1-Hour Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Memphis $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
Sample the Local Flavors in Memphis
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:
- Drinking Spirits with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis: $27
- Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $69
- Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Memphis, we can see that Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Memphis 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 Memphis Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Memphis?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Memphis. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Memphis, 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 Memphis?
Memphis 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 Memphis in the Summer?
Both Memphis 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. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Memphis this time of year.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Memphis in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Memphis fluctuates around 83°F (29°C).
In Memphis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Memphis. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 328 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Memphis. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Memphis 83°F (29°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Memphis in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Memphis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Memphis for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Memphis. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Memphis averages at about 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Memphis 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 Memphis during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 240 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 Memphis. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Memphis 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Memphis in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Memphis. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Memphis in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Memphis can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Memphis. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Memphis fluctuates around 40°F (5°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 Memphis. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Memphis receives 163 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Memphis. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Memphis 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Memphis in the Spring?
Both Memphis 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, most visitors come to Memphis for the activities around the city during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Memphis in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Memphis fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Memphis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Memphis during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Memphis receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Memphis. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Memphis. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Memphis receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Memphis 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Memphis and Kingston
| Kingston | Memphis | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.