Which place is cheaper, Austin or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Austin?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Austin can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Austin?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesAustin Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Austin $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Austin is $167. 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 Montego Bay and Austin in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Austin $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Austin $112
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Austin
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Austin? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Austin Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Austin $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Riu Montego / Reggae / Palace: $40
- Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $130
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
- Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin: $115
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer: $118
- Austin Texas Airport Transfer Premium Black SUV: $189
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $142Austin $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
- Austin Food Tour with Authentic Flavors, Tacos & 5 Food Tastings: $86
- Austin Street Art and Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $96
- Austin South Congress Food Tour with 5 Tastings, Tacos & Sweets: $100
- Mexican Street Tacos Cooking Class in Austin (3-Course Meal): $110
- Italian Pasta Cooking Class in Austin (Includes 4-Course Meal): $123
- Austin Downtown Food Tour With BBQ Brisket and Peach Cobbler: $134
- Locals Know BBQ Food Tour in Austin Texas: $175
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Austin $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.67
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Austin Duck Tour$31
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Austin by Wacky Walks: $10
- KuneKune Pig Farm Tour: $25
- Ultimate cat experience at Austin's cat cafe: $25
- Round Rock in the Shadows Tour for Adults: $26
- Georgetown Ghost Maker Tour for Adults: $26
- Hauntings, Apparitions & Ashes of Austin Ghost Tour: $26
- The Ghosts of Austin Walking Tour: $30
- Haunted Austin Walking History Tour: $30
- Morning Culture and History Tour of Austin: $30
- Austin’s Haunted Ghost & Murder Tour: $30
- The Story of Downtown History Walking Tour: $33
- Austin Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Austin $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin: $39
- Public Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Austin: $54
- Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab with All-Inclusive Beer Flight Option: $70
- At-Home Private Wine or NA Wine Tasting Experience in Austin: $75
- Texas Hill Country BBQ and Wine Tour From Austin (Small Group): $78
- Pedals & Pints Brewery Bicycle Tour: $78
- 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
- The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $125
- Brewery 5K Fun Run, BBQ, and Texas History Museum in Austin: $175
- Texas Hill Country Group Wine Tour by Limousine: $185
- Half Day Wine Tour with Luxury Limousine in Austin: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Austin, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Austin 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 Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Austin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Austin Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Austin?
Austin has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Austin, 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 Montego Bay or Austin?
Austin has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Austin in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Austin. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Austin. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Austin fluctuates around 87°F (30°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Austin during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 318 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Austin. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Austin 87°F (30°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Austin in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Austin. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Austin this time of year.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Austin in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Austin fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Austin. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 214 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Austin. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Austin 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Austin in the Winter?
Both Austin and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Austin. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Austin averages at about 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Austin during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Austin receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Austin. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Austin receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Austin 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Austin in the Spring?
Both Austin and Montego Bay during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Austin in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Austin. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Austin fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Austin. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Austin receives 209 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Austin. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Austin receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Austin 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Austin and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Austin | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 87°F (30°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.