Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Phoenix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Phoenix $39
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 Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix City : $117
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Departure Private Transfer Phoenix City to Phoenix Airport PHX : $110
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van: $140
- Phoenix International Airport (PHX) - Private transfer From/to Hotels: $118
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- One-Way Transfer Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix: $104
- Private Transfer From Hotels To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport PHX : $41
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $27Phoenix $52
Typical Food Prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Phoenix $40
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 Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Entry Ticket: $17
- Private Speakeasy Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- Private Asylum Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- The Scottsdale Selfie Experience: $25
- Ghosts & Poltergeists Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- RoRo Street Art Tour in Phoenix: $27
- Scottsdale Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Tempe Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Phoenix Zoo Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour : $39
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Phoenix $17
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 Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $155
- Ghost town of Jerome, Brew and Wine Tour: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Phoenix?
Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
Phoenix 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 Phoenix in the Summer?
Both Phoenix 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, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Kingston is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Phoenix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Phoenix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Kingston is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 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 Phoenix. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Phoenix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Phoenix. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Phoenix. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Phoenix. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Phoenix in the Spring?
Both Phoenix and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Kingston is a little warmer than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Kingston
| Kingston | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 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.