Which place is cheaper, Boston 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.
Jump to 
Should you visit Montego Bay or Boston?
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 Boston 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
-
Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesBoston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Boston $291
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Boston $166
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Boston $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning: $10
- Private Airport Transfers from Montego Bay: $10
- Princess Resorts Cousins Cove Green Island Jamaica Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: RIU Mobay, RIU Reggae & RIU Palace: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
- Private Airport Transfer To Riu Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $14
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport to Hotel in Montego Bay: $14
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth: $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi$35
-
Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
- BOS Airport Private Transfer to/from Boston Downtown: $37
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Manchester–Boston Regional Airport to Manchester - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Manchester to Manchester–Boston Regional Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $79
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $85
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
- Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS)- Departure Private Transfer: $92
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS: $101
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $142Boston $86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- 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
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- 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
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self-Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Tour: $5.50
- Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Boston Food Tour: Pizza & North End Italian Classics: $69
- Boston’s North End Food Tour: Italian Flavors and Heritage Walk: $70
- Harvard Square French Fry and Pairings Food Tour: $73
- 2-Hour North End Food Tour with Chowder & Pizza: $74
- North End & Little Italy Food Tour with Local Dishes: $74
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $75
- City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $79
- Boston Seafood Tour: Behind the Scenes at the Historic Fish Pier: $81
- Boston North End Food Tour with Authentic Local Flavors & Dishes: $86
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Boston $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
-
Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.67
-
Snorkeling Trip$19
-
One Tank Dive$37
-
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:
- 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
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay with complimentary section/table: $25
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
-
Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
-
Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Boston Highlights: Self‑Guided Walking Tour: $1.06
- Boston Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.49
- Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour: $4.93
- 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour: $5.00
- The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
- App-Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
- Boston Freedom Trail Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $5.83
- Boston Self Guided Audio Experience: $6.00
- North End Boston Mafia Exploration Game and Tour: $6.29
- Harvard's Haunts Solo Smart Phone Guided App Ghost Walking Tour: $7.75
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Boston $27
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:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Amazing Bar Crawl: Boston Back Bay Beat: $15
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $50
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery: $55
- Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour: $60
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
- DIY Candle Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Boston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Boston?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Boston, 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 Boston?
Boston 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 Boston in the Summer?
Both Boston and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Boston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Boston during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Boston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Montego Bay during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Boston. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Boston. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Boston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Boston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Boston can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Boston during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Boston. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Boston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Boston. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.