Which place is cheaper, New York City or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City? 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $218New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $218, 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 Saint Thomas and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37New York City $49
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 New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Philadelphia: $523
- La Guardia Airport Private Limousine Transfer: $489
- Skip-the-line Tickets to Bronx Zoo with Private Transfers: $410
- JFK Airport To Manhattan Luxury SUV Transfer: $370
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- Private New York City Airport Departure Transfer : $299
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers : $296
- Skip-the-line One World Observatory Tour with Transfers: $296
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Central Park Zoo Skip the line Tickets and Private Transfers : $291
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in New York (hotel OR airport pick-up): $289
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to New York - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $54New York City $50
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 New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $26
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- New York City Pizza Crawl: Best of Manhattan route: $41
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- Ultimate Greenwich Village NYC Food Tour: $63
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Pizza Walking Tour of Downtown Brooklyn: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60New York City $180
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Days Niagara Falls USA, Watkins Glen and Scenic Hotel Tour : $257
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Amish FarmNHouse Tour from NY: $137
- Classic 1-Hour Central Park Pedicab Tour : $69
- Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour: $35
- New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village: $36
- Official Central Park Pedicab Tours: $50
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $110
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket with VIP Experience and Lunch: $299
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $195
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Downtown: $249
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Midtown: $75
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.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27New York City $29
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
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $19
- NYC West Village Pub Crawl: $22
- NYC Pub Crawl and Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $29
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
- New York Wine Tasting Experience : $98
- Guided Brooklyn Craft Brewery Tour: $99
- 1920s Schooner Sail with Wine Tasting: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas.
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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas 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.
When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas or New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as New York City. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City 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, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 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.