Which place is cheaper, Providence or New York City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for New York City and Providence. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
New York City is a energetic, cosmopolitan, and one-of-a-kind city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Providence is a friendly, fascinating, and active city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Providence. New York City is bigger than Providence, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is more touristy than Providence and is known for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. Also, New York City is famous for The Statue of Liberty. Providence is well known for its outdoor parks, historic atmosphere, and college town vibe.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Providence and New York City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, New York City has many famous sights for visitors. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
Providence is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several historical museums around town as well as art museums, zoos, a planetarium and natural history museum, and even a children's museum.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Providence is not a theatre destination.
New York City is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.
Providence is not a theatre destination.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Eat your way through New York City, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Providence makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene around town has grown and diversified in recent years. You'll find a mix of international and local options and for such a small city, it really has a lot to offer.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.
The nightlife in New York City is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Providence. Comedy clubs, bars, and clubs keep the energy high during the evening hours. It's not hard to find something to do, particularly on weekend nights.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Providence is not a live music destination.
New York City has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.
Providence is not a live music destination.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.
Many people travel to New York City specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.
Providence is a great destination for shopping. Malls, shopping centers, and boutiques all offer a range of shopping experiences around town.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Providence does not offer Christmas activities.
People travel from all around to experience the Christmas season in New York City. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.
Providence does not offer Christmas activities.
New York City is a great city for visiting Christmas markets. However, Providence does not offer Christmas markets.
New York City has a large number of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.
Providence does not offer Christmas markets.
New York City is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in New York City. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.
Providence is a family-friendly place to visit. There are opportunities for kids to interact with animals at the Roger Williams Park Zoo, as well as plenty of places for kids to run around like Rocky Point Park or Goddard Memorial State Park. There's also the Providence Children's Museum, go carting, and entertainment centers.
New York City is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
New York City is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.
Providence is a nice destination for couples. You can see a show at the Providence Performing Arts Center or visit some of the city's historic buildings and museums. There are also parks and coastal walks as well as many great restaurants.
New York City is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Providence is not known for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.
Providence is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town for those who want an affordable place to stay.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.
New York City is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.
Providence is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There's a college town vibe to this small city because it's home to Brown University, which is a member of the Ivy League.
New York City is an unbeatable place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.
Visitors in New York City can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.
Providence has a few public transit options. There are RIPTA buses that travel around town.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. Also, Providence is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.
New York City is a very easy city to get around on foot. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.
Providence is very walkable. It's a walkable city and it's relatively easy to explore on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is New York City Worth Visiting? and Is Providence Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both New York City and Providence. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in New York City than in Providence. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for New York City, and 2-3 days is enough time in Providence.
Families should spend more time in New York City than Providence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in New York City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in New York City than Providence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than Providence if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in New York City.
When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Providence. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
When visiting New York City, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Providence. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
New York City, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Providence. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
New York City is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of Providence. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in New York City is $326, while the average daily cost in Providence is $210. 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 New York City and Providence in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in New York City or Providence? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Providence and New York City 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.
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Providence:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New York City and Providence, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Providence much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Providence would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Providence 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Providence.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New York City Expensive? and Is Providence Expensive?.
New York City has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of New York City and Providence, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both New York City and Providence. The summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Providence this time of year.
In July, New York City is generally around the same temperature as Providence. Daily temperatures in New York City average around 77°F (25°C), and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
New York City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, New York City usually receives more rain than Providence. New York City gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to New York City as well as Providence. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the shopping scene.
New York City is a little warmer than Providence in the autumn. The daily temperature in New York City averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Providence fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
New York City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Providence. New York City gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Providence and New York City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Providence can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In the winter, New York City is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the winter temperatures in New York City in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Providence averages at about 28°F (-2°C).
In January, New York City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Providence. New York City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Providence and New York City during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In April, New York City is generally a little warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in New York City average around 52°F (11°C), and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
New York City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Providence. New York City gets 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
New York City | Providence | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |