Which place is cheaper, Portland or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Portland, 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 $109Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Portland $28
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 Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- 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: $170
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport to The Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $186
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $87
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $27Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Portland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Portland $24
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 Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland, Oregon: $23
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Portland $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 Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour - Full Day Tour: $225
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Portland?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Portland, 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 Portland?
Portland 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 Portland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Portland. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Portland. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland 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, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Portland. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Portland can be very cold during winter. Kingston is much warmer than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Portland. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Portland during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Portland. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Kingston
| Kingston | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.