A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mandeville vs. Ocean City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mandeville or Ocean City?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mandeville or Ocean City? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Mandeville or Ocean City?

Mandeville

Mandeville is a small, quiet town in the mountains of Jamaica with a population of about 50,000. The town is situated on a plateau west of Kingston. It is the largest town in the parish of Manchester and the fifth largest urban center in the country.

Ocean City

One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Ocean City or Mandeville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mandeville is $81, while the average daily cost in Ocean City is $160. 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 Mandeville and Ocean City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mandeville $38
    Ocean City $83
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mandeville $76
    Ocean City $166
Compare Hotels in Mandeville and Ocean City

Looking for a hotel in Mandeville or Ocean 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.

Hotels in Mandeville


Hotels in Ocean City


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: Ocean City Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mandeville $31
    Ocean City $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Mandeville or Ocean City?

Prices for flights to both Ocean City and Mandeville 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mandeville $24
    Ocean City $49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mandeville $8.31
    Ocean City $18

Tours and Activities in Ocean City

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ocean City are as follows:

  • Assateague Island Morning Cruise: $79
  • Atlantic Coastline Parasailing Adventure: $132
  • Atlantic Ocean Catamaran Cruise with Crew: $125
  • Banana Boat Fun Adventure: $33
  • Bay Hopping Food Boat Tour with Tastings: $179
  • Downtown and Boardwalk Foodie Walking Tour: $110
  • Guided Happy Hour Bar Hopping Tour: $50
  • High-Speed Sunrise Cruise and Dolphin Watching: $25
  • High-Speed Sunset Cruise & Dolphin Watch: $36
  • Midtown District Walking Foodie Tour: $110
  • Speedboat Coastal Tour with Dolphin Spotting: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mandeville $6.51
    Ocean City $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mandeville and Ocean City, we can see that Ocean City is more expensive. And not only is Mandeville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mandeville is in Caribbean Islands and Ocean 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 Mandeville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mandeville 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 Ocean City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ocean City than you might in Mandeville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mandeville Expensive? and Is Ocean City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mandeville or Ocean City?

Mandeville has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Mandeville and Ocean 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 Mandeville or Ocean City?

Ocean City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mandeville experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mandeville or Ocean City in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mandeville as well as Ocean City. Mandeville attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

In the summer, Mandeville is a little warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mandeville in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Ocean City averages at about 77°F (25°C).

It's quite rainy in Ocean City. Mandeville usually gets less rain in July than Ocean City. Mandeville gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mandeville 29°C (83°F) 
    Ocean City 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Ocean City in the Autumn?

Both Ocean City and Mandeville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mandeville throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Ocean City for the shopping scene.

In October, Mandeville is generally much warmer than Ocean City. Daily temperatures in Mandeville average around 28°C (82°F), and Ocean City fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite rainy in Mandeville. In October, Mandeville usually receives more rain than Ocean City. Mandeville gets 160 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mandeville 28°C (82°F) 
    Ocean City 58°F (14°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Ocean City in the Winter?

Both Ocean City and Mandeville during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mandeville because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Ocean City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Ocean City can get quite cold in the winter. Mandeville is much warmer than Ocean City in the winter. The daily temperature in Mandeville averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Ocean City fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Mandeville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Ocean City. Mandeville gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mandeville 26°C (79°F) 
    Ocean City 35°F (2°C)

Should I visit Mandeville or Ocean City in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mandeville and Ocean City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mandeville year-round. Also, most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Mandeville is much warmer than Ocean City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mandeville in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Ocean City averages at about 54°F (12°C).

In April, Mandeville usually receives less rain than Ocean City. Mandeville gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ocean City receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mandeville 26°C (80°F) 
    Ocean City 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Ocean City and Mandeville

Mandeville Ocean City
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 35°F (2°C) 3.6 inches (93 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 37°F (3°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 45°F (7°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 101 mm (4 in) 63°F (17°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 77°F (25°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 76°F (24°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 129 mm (5.1 in) 69°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 160 mm (6.3 in) 58°F (14°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)