Which place is cheaper, New York City or Rome?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and New York City 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.
Rome is a archeological, bustling, and fun-filled city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.
New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan 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. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums.
You'll generally find more things to do in New York City than Rome. New York City is bigger than Rome, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. New York City is better known for its theatre productions and christmas markets, while Rome is more popular for its impressive beauty. Rome is well known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. New York City is well 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.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New York City and Rome. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Rome or New York City.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Rome on the map. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.
Travelers visit New York City from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its shows and theatre. However, Rome is not a theatre destination.
Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in New York City that are not to be missed. 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.
Rome is not a theatre destination.
Dining out at restaurants in both Rome and New York City can be an enjoyable experience.
Many restaurants in Rome have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.
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.
It's hard to distinguish whether Rome or New York City has a better nightlife scene.
The nightlife in Rome is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.
New York City is a world class party destination. 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.
Live music enthusiatsts will find something to enjoy in either Rome or New York City.
In Rome you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.
New York City is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.
Shopping is a popular activity in both New York City and Rome.
Rome is a world class destination for shoppers. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. 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.
New York City is an unbeatable place for its Christmas activities. However, Rome does not offer Christmas activities.
New York City is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.
Rome does not offer Christmas activities.
New York City is a great destination for its Christmas markets. However, Rome 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.
Rome does not offer Christmas markets.
Both Rome and New York City are very good to visit with kids.
Rome is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.
New York City is a very family-friendly destination. 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.
New York City is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Rome is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
New York City is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.
Rome is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.
Rome is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, New York City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.
Many backpackers frequent Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).
New York City is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.
Rome and New York City are fantastic places to visit for students.
Rome is a very popular city for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.
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.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Rome and New York City.
Visitors in Rome can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.
New York City has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. 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.
Rome and New York City both are fantastic when exploring on foot.
Getting around Rome on foot is easy. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.
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.
For even more information, also check out Is Rome Worth Visiting? and Is New York City Worth Visiting?.
Both Rome and New York City have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in New York City than Rome. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in New York City than Rome. 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 Rome. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than New York City 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 Rome.
Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.
Visitors enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the big city destination of New York City. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rome. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
New York City is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the cosmopolitan big city of New York City. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
Rome is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant city of New York City. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is $184, while the average daily cost in New York City is $326. 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 Rome and New York City in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Rome or New York City? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:
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:
Prices for flights to both New York City and Rome 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.
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:
Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Rome for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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:
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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rome and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Rome much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rome is in Europe and New York City 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 Rome would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rome 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 Rome.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rome Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
New York City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rome. When comparing the sizes of Rome and New York City, 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 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.
The summer brings many poeple to Rome as well as New York City. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rome this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rome is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rome in July average around 25°C (77°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Rome usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both New York City and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Rome is generally a little warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 17°C (63°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In October, Rome usually receives more rain than New York City. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both New York City and Rome during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rome in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
New York City can be very cold during winter. Rome is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Rome usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as New York City. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and New York City. Most visitors come to Rome for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New York City because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Rome is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rome in April average around 14°C (57°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In April, Rome usually receives less rain than New York City. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Rome | New York City | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
Feb | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
May | 18°C (64°F) | 42 mm (1.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Jun | 22°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Dec | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |