A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montego Bay vs. Sacramento for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montego Bay or Sacramento?

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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento?

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.

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Sacramento 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.

  • Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Sacramento Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Montego Bay $258
    Sacramento $320

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $320. 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 Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Sacramento $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Sacramento? 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 Montego Bay


Hotels in Sacramento


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 Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Sacramento $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $74
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $200
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
  • The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Sunscape Splash Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • Sports bar Day or Nightlife Experience with Private Transfer: $70
  • Shared Shuttle Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $30
  • Secrets and Breathless Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • Secrets Wild Orchid Private Airport Transfer: $20
  • Secrets St. James Private Airport Transfer: $20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One Way Airport Transfer Service: $74
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $288

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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 day
    Montego Bay $142
    Sacramento $92

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 Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chinese Wonton Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $109
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $109
  • Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Sacramento $19
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:

  • “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
  • 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
  • 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $72
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
  • 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • 7 Mile Beach Private Tour: $122

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $15
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $15
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $15
  • Mini Golf Experience 9 Hole Course in Sacramento: $18
  • History Museum Ticket and Digital City Tour: $24
  • Shadows, Scandals & Secrets of Sacramento Ghost Tours: $24
  • Sacramento Capitol Park Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $25
  • Nevada City Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
  • Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Sacramento $12

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 Sacramento

Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Old Vine Express Train Ride with Wine Tasting: $174


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

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 Sacramento Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?

Sacramento 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 Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento and Montego Bay during the summer 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, the summer months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the family-friendly experiences.

Montego Bay is a little warmer than Sacramento in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Sacramento. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year.

In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Sacramento averages at about 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Sacramento. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Sacramento for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Montego Bay or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Montego Bay is much warmer than Sacramento in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Montego Bay

Montego Bay Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)