Which place is cheaper, Miami or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Miami?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Miami? 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: Saint Petersburg or Miami?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Miami $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Miami is $206. 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 Saint Petersburg and Miami in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Miami $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Miami $264
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Miami
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Miami? 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: Miami Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Miami $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
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Car Rental for a Day$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
- Transfers in Miami: $105
- Transfers Airports Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Port Mía Everglades: $25
- Transfer from Port Miami to Miami Airport: $160
- Transfer from Miami Hotel or Miami Port to Fort Lauderdale Airport or Hotel: $210
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Miami Hotel or Miami Port: $160
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel or Port Miami.: $160
- Shared Tour in Miami with Transfer: $170
- Round Trip Motorcoach Transfer to Key West from Miami: $245
- Private transfer from Miami hotel to Port of Miami: $160
- Private Transfer: Miami International Airport (MIA) to Miami Beach : $69
- Private Transfer to Miami Airport (Departures): $85
- Private Transfer from Miami Airport to any Hotels Downtown Miami: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Miami?
Prices for flights to both Miami and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $19Miami $41
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.69
Typical Food Prices in Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
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Lunch with Drinks (for 2)$45
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David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
- The Ultimate Little Havana Food Tour: $64
- Wynwood Street Art, Culture, Donuts & Walking Food Tour: $65
- South Beach Food Tour: $70
- A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $70
- Little Havana Walking Food Tour: $75
- South Beach Miami Food & Fun Art Deco Food Tour : $79
- Wynwood Walls Art District Food Tour: $80
- Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show: $98
- Mango's Dinner and Show Ticket: $98
- Miami Dinner Party w/ Night Club Experience: $100
- Guided Small Group Little Havana Food Tour: $124
- Ukrainian cooking class in Miami: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Miami $31
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cultural Brunch Experience in Miami: $125
- Miami's Most Authentic Walking Tour of Little Havana: $39
- South Beach Walking Tour- A Journey through Food and History: $67
- 1 Day Key West Tour from Miami Florida: $175
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Experience in Miami Beach Florida: $95
- 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour: $74
- 1-Hour Private Miami Photoshoot Experience: $65
- 1HR Boat Tour Around Miami Celebrities Mansion: $65
- 2 HR Miami Lights & Skyline Private Night Tour for up to 6 people: $299
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Miami Beach: $273
- 2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo: $75
- 2-Day Key West and Miami South Beach Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Miami $22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
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Evening at a Bar$32
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
- Miami Bar Crawl: $25
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Small-Group Brewery Golf Cart Tour of Wynwood with a Local Guide: $59
- Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63
- Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
- Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
- Wynwood Bar Crawl: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Miami, we can see that Miami is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Miami 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 Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami than you might in Saint Petersburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Miami Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Miami?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Miami, 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 Saint Petersburg or Miami?
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 Saint Petersburg or Miami in the Summer?
Both Miami and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Miami for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Miami. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Miami fluctuates around 83°F (28°C).
In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 316 hours of full sun.
Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Miami 83°F (28°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Miami in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Miami. Also, many visitors come to Miami in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Miami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Miami fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Miami during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 275 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Miami receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Miami 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Miami in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Miami. Also, most visitors come to Miami for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Miami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Miami averages at about 67°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Miami receives 243 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Miami receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Miami 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Miami in the Spring?
Both Miami and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Miami because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Miami. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Miami fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Miami. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Miami during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Miami receives 300 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Miami. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Miami receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Miami 75°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Miami and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Miami | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.