Which place is cheaper, New York City or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or New York City, 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 New York City?
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.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Kingston and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215
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:
- 10-Minute Helicopter Transfer from Manhattan to JFK : $245
- 10-Minute Helicopter Transfer from Manhattan to Newark Airport: $245
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Arrival Private Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York in Business Car: $152
- Arrival Transfer from LaGuardia Airport LGA to Manhattan by Car: $130
- Arrival Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury Car: $218
- Arrival Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $162
- Bronx - LGA: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $100
- Bronx to JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $108
- Brooklyn - JFK: Private Airport Departure Transfers: $100
- Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers : $171
- Central Park Zoo Skip the line Tickets and Private Transfers : $291
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $27New 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 NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13New York City $180
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
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $85
- 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 Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
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
- Brooklyn Bridge Self-Guided Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- New York City's Financial District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.34
- New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour: $5.39
- Broadway: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of the World's Iconic Theatre District: $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 dayKingston $11New York City $29
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 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 Kingston and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City 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 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 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as New York City. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to New York City in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) 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 JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than New York City. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) 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 OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Kingston during the winter 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 winter months attract visitors to New York City because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in New York City can be very cold. Kingston is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) 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 JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New York City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than New York City. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) 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 AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Kingston
| Kingston | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 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.