Which place is cheaper, Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
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.
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesRaleigh Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Raleigh $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Raleigh is $231. 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 Raleigh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Raleigh $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Raleigh $208
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Raleigh
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Raleigh? 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 Raleigh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Raleigh $37
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
- 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 Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer Riu Montego / Reggae / Palace: $40
- Airport Transfer To Grand Bahia Principe Hotel: $120
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $135
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $135
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $261
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Raleigh?
Prices for flights to both Raleigh 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 $142Raleigh $99
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
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)$84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Raleigh $37
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Raleigh Downtown Smartphone Guided GPS App Walking Tour: $9.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Chapel Hill NC: $15
- Durham African-American Historic Walking Tour: $18
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches History and Architecture Tour: $18
- Raleigh True Crime Tour: $19
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $19
- Downtown Cary Historian-Guided Tour: $19
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $19
- Chapel Hill True Crime Walking Tour: $19
- Chapel Hill LGBT History Tour: $19
- Durham True Crime Tour: $19
- Historic Oakwood: History & Architecture Tour: $19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Raleigh $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 Raleigh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Raleigh:
- Trolley Pub Holiday Pub Crawl Experience Raleigh: $39
- Durham's Best Brewery Tour Discover Local Brews and History: $110
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Raleigh, we can see that Montego Bay 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Raleigh?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Raleigh, 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 Raleigh?
Raleigh 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 Raleigh in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Raleigh. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Raleigh in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Raleigh. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Raleigh averages at about 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Raleigh during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.
Raleigh receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Raleigh 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Raleigh in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Raleigh. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions during these months.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Raleigh fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. 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 Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 211 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Raleigh 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Raleigh in the Winter?
Both Raleigh 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, the winter months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the museums and the cuisine.
The weather in Raleigh can be very cold. Montego Bay is much warmer than Raleigh in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Raleigh fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Raleigh during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Raleigh 40°F (5°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Raleigh in the Spring?
Both Raleigh 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. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Raleigh. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Raleigh averages at about 60°F (16°C).
In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 251 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Raleigh. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Raleigh 60°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Raleigh and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Raleigh | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.