Which place is cheaper, Cleveland or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland? 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 Thomas or Cleveland?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
Cleveland
Located on the shores of Lake Erie of the Great Lakes, Cleveland is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. As a culturally diverse and thriving metropolitan area, the city is host to a vast range of sights and activities, such as world-class museums, cultural events, professional sports, and golf courses as well as plenty of dining, shopping, and entertainment opportunities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218Cleveland $132
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, while the average daily cost in Cleveland is $132. 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 Thomas and Cleveland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Cleveland $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Cleveland $150
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Cleveland
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Cleveland? 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: Cleveland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Cleveland $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Charlotte Amalie: $28
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cleveland
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cleveland are as follows:
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Taxi to Airport$36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cleveland
Also for Cleveland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $179
- CLE Airport Transfer to Downtown Cleveland: $135
- Cleveland to Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) - Departure Private Transfer : $89
- Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) to Cleveland - Arrival Private Transfer : $89
- Private Departure Transfer to Cleveland Airport (CLE): $64
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cleveland Airprot (CLE): $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Cleveland?
Prices for flights to both Cleveland and Saint Thomas 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 Thomas $54Cleveland $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Typical Food Prices in Cleveland
For Cleveland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$1.79
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Sandwich$9.75
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Large Pizza$15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cleveland
For Cleveland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- West Side Market Food Tour: $49
- Little Italy Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $74
- Ohio City Neighborhood Food Tour of Cleveland: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Cleveland $40
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- 2-Day Adventure Tour of St Thomas and St John: $199
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
Tours and Activities in Cleveland
For Cleveland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- CLE Mini Bus Group Tour: $55
- Cleveland Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Cleveland From the Inside Walking Tour: $24
- Cleveland Ghosts Tour: $32
- Cleveland Guardians Baseball Game Ticket at Progressive Field: $28
- Cleveland Romance: A Walking Tour for Couples: $471
- Cleveland Romance: A Walking Tour for Couples: $240
- Cleveland History Center General Admission Ticket: $15
- Eerie Ghosts Haunted Walking Tour: $24
- Escape Room Game Entry Ticket with Host: $39
- Downtown Cleveland Public Art Walking Tour : $24
- Enchanted Cleveland Holiday Walking Tour: $294
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Cleveland $45
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
Typical Alcohol Prices in Cleveland
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Cleveland are as follows:
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A Night of Shots$36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Cleveland, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Cleveland 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 Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Cleveland.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Cleveland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Cleveland?
Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Cleveland, 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 Thomas or Cleveland?
Cleveland has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Cleveland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Cleveland in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Cleveland fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cleveland this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cleveland during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.
Cleveland receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Cleveland 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Cleveland. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Cleveland averages at about 56°F (13°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Cleveland 56°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland in the Winter?
Both Cleveland and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Cleveland 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Cleveland in the Spring?
Both Cleveland and Saint Thomas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Cleveland in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Cleveland fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).
In Cleveland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cleveland. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Cleveland 51°F (10°C)
Typical Weather for Cleveland and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Cleveland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 34°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 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.