A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nantucket vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nantucket or Kailua-Kona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Nantucket and Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Nantucket or Kailua-Kona?

Nantucket

Nantucket is both an island and a town in Massachusetts that is famous for its beautiful homes, scenic harbours, and historic lighthouses. It's a famous New England destination and is a popular vacation spot for the area's rich and famous. Although it's beloved by CEOs and executives, there are still plenty of options for the more casual visitors as well.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nantucket Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantucket or Kailua-Kona?

Nantucket has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Nantucket and Kailua-Kona, 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 Nantucket or Kailua-Kona?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Nantucket or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

Both Kailua-Kona and Nantucket during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nantucket this time of year.

Nantucket is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

Nantucket usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Nantucket gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantucket and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Nantucket for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Nantucket is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nantucket in October average around 53°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).

Nantucket gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Nantucket gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantucket or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nantucket as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Nantucket in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nantucket can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Nantucket is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Nantucket average around 31°F (-0°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Nantucket receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nantucket usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kailua-Kona. Nantucket gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantucket or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

Both Kailua-Kona and Nantucket are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nantucket for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

Nantucket is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Nantucket averages around 45°F (7°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Nantucket. In April, Nantucket usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Nantucket gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Nantucket