Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or San Diego, 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 San Diego?
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.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123San Diego $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. 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 San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Kingston and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or San Diego? 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 San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28San Diego $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $269
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $269
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to Carlsbad, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $113
- Private Arrival Transfer - from San Diego Airport (SAN) by SUV: $89
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $165
- Private Transfer from San Diego (SAN) Airport to San Diego City: $88
- Private Transfer from San Diego City Hotels to San Diego Port : $71
- Private Transfer from San Diego City to San Diego (SAN) Airport: $88
- Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- Private Transfer from Tijuana to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe: $139
- Private Transfer to San Diego International Airport from San Diego: $77
- Private Transfer to Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $39
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tijuana Airport (TIJ): $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $44San Diego $77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kingston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kingston.
- Kingston City Food Tour: $180
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour: Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $90
- San Diego Gaslamp Food Tour with 6 Modern Californian Tastings: $95
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $99
- City Cruises Buffet Dinner Cruise: $110
- Walking food tour + Round trip ferry to Coronado Island : $125
- San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise: $126
- City Cruises Gourmet Dinner Cruise & Skyline Views: $151
- Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12San Diego $48
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure of Ocho Rios: $155
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Authentic Jamaica: A Local's Guide Tour: $240
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,014
- Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $7.99
- Tijuana Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Discover San Diego’s Little Italy on a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Discover UCSD: A Self-Guided Tour for Students, Parents and Staff: $9.99
- Sights of San Diego Harbor: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in San Diego by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- Ultimate La Jolla Self-Guided Driving & Walking Audio Tour Bundle: $21
- Gaslamp Quarter Ghost Tour in San Diego: $25
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tour: $249
- Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego: $269
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and San Diego, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and San Diego, 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 San Diego?
San Diego 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 San Diego in the Summer?
Both San Diego 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kingston is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and San Diego. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than San Diego in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego 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 San Diego during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 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 San Diego. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Diego in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as San Diego. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kingston is much warmer than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and San Diego averages at about 57°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 San Diego. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than San Diego. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego 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, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In April, Kingston is generally much warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives more rain than San Diego. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Kingston
| Kingston | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.