Which place is cheaper, New York City or Mombasa?
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 Mombasa or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and New York City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Mombasa or New York City?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 Mombasa and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA): $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $35
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $35
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
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:
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer in New York HTL-APT (JFK,EWR,LGA): $173
- Transfer from Newark Airport to Times Square New York: $150
- Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Guided Tour with Ferry Transfers: $64
- Shared transfer Newark Airport to Manhattan: $30
- Private Transfer: Manhattan to JFK, LGA or EWR by Sedan or SUV: $134
- Private Transfer: Manhattan to Cruise Port by Sedan or SUV: $84
- Private Transfer in New York City (JFK/LGA) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work: $180
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Private Transfer from Newark Int Airport (EWR) to Manhattan Port: $47
- Private Transfer from Newark Airport (EWR) to Cape Liberty Port: $44
- Private Transfer from New York city hotels to Brooklyn Port: $64
- Private Transfer from New York City Hotels to Manhattan Port: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41New York City $87
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Diani Beach Sunset Dhow Cruise with Dinner: $71
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $138
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 Union Square Sweetest Food Tour: Choose Your Own Donuts: $35
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
- Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- Central Park Cafe: Scenic Lunch & Dinner Experience in NYC: $50
- Chelsea Food Tour NYC Pizza Tacos and Chelsea Market Walk: $55
- Homemade Pizza Party in NYC: $63
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $68
- Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Food Tour: Local Eats & Iconic Views: $70
- East Village Food Tour: $70
- Astoria Queens Global Bites Food Tour (NYC): $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day Group tour to Tsavo East National Park with Buffet Lunch: $160
- 1 Day Malindi day Tour (minimum 2 Pax): $194
- 1 Day Wasini Dolphin Tour From Diani Beach: $98
- 1 Day Wasini Snorkelling Tour: $195
- 4 Hours Guided Mombasa City Tour: $45
- City Tour with Ghalib: $77
- Day Tour To Shimba Hill Reserve From Mombasa: $270
- Day Wasini Private Boat Tour with Snorkeling And Seafood: $244
- Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest Guided Tour: $75
- Diani Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $35
- Fort Jesus & Mombasa Old Town Walking CityTour: $38
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $40
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:
- #1 Rated NYC Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour with FNYT: $99
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket: $92
- "International Express" 7 Train Ultimate Authentic NYC Experience: $55
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour: $133
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $250
- 1 Hour Live Interactive Driving Virtual Tour of Manhattan: $200
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: $50
- 1-Day New York City Tour: Liberty Cruise & One World Observatory: $168
- 1-Day New York In-Depth Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York Insider Tour: $180
- 1-Day Tour to Boston from New York: $104
- 10+ stops Central Park Pedicab Tour Customizable Landmarks: $250
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 dayMombasa $8.83New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $28
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa or New York City?
New York City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In July, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 24°C (75°F), and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than New York City. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Mombasa or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers 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.
Mombasa is much warmer than New York City in the autumn. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Mombasa or New York City in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
New York City can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Mombasa is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the winter temperatures in Mombasa in January average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City averages at about 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Mombasa usually receives less rain than New York City. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Mombasa or New York City in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as New York City. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Mombasa is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than New York City. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Mombasa
| Mombasa | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.