Which place is cheaper, Boston or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Boston 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: Rio de Janeiro or Boston?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $106Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $106, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Boston? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.04Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
- Private transfer from Airport GIG to Rio City center-Copacabana: $15
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (Galeao Airport To Rio): $20
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Boston hotels to Flynn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $130
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $169
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $158
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $244
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Boston $49
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Boston $33
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.78
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $10
- Favela tour in copacabana with local guide!: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.46
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Boston's History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Boston 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Boston?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Boston, 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 Rio de Janeiro or Boston?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Boston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Boston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Boston. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C)in July.
Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Bostonin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Boston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Boston. Additionally, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Bostonin October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in April than Bostonin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Boston can be very cold during winter. Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Bostonin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Boston in the Spring?
Both Boston and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C)in April.
Rio de Janeiro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Bostonin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.