Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Ocean City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Ocean City or Kailua-Kona?
Ocean City
One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcean City $160Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocean City is $160, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona 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 Ocean City and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcean City $83Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcean City $166Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Ocean City and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Ocean City or Kailua-Kona? 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: Ocean City Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocean City $47Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocean City or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Ocean 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayOcean City $49Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocean City $18Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Ocean City
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ocean City are as follows:
- High-Speed Sunrise Cruise and Dolphin Watching: $25
- Speedboat Coastal Tour with Dolphin Spotting: $25
- Banana Boat Fun Adventure: $33
- High-Speed Sunset Cruise & Dolphin Watch: $36
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Hopping Tour: $50
- Assateague Island Morning Cruise: $79
- Midtown District Walking Foodie Tour: $110
- Downtown and Boardwalk Foodie Walking Tour: $110
- Atlantic Ocean Catamaran Cruise with Crew: $125
- Atlantic Coastline Parasailing Adventure: $132
- Bay Hopping Food Boat Tour with Tastings: $179
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcean City $14Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean City 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Ocean City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocean City Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City 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 Ocean City or Kailua-Kona?
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.
Should I visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ocean City is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in Ocean City. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcean City 77°F (25°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Ocean City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Ocean City is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Ocean City usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcean City 58°F (14°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Ocean City can be very cold during winter. Ocean City is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcean City 35°F (2°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Ocean City or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Kailua-Kona. The spring months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches.
In the spring, Ocean City is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kailua-Kona. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcean City 54°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Ocean City
| Ocean City | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.