Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Milwaukee?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Milwaukee? 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: San Juan or Milwaukee?
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Milwaukee $176
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 San Juan and Milwaukee in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Milwaukee $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Milwaukee
Looking for a hotel in San Juan or Milwaukee? 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Milwaukee Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Milwaukee $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Old San Juan Sunset Cruise with Drinks & Transfer: $99
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port: Transfer to San Juan hotel: $271
- San Juan One-way Transfer: $30
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel : $50
- San Juan Airport (SJU): Private Transfer to San Juan Port: $271
- Roundtrip-Transfer from: SJU Airport,Cruises and Hotels in Puerto Rico LuxurySUV: $70
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla Y Luxury SUV, Select Zone: $77
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Tesla S Lux Sedan, Select Zone: $79
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Mercedes ECO Van, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Milwaukee?
Prices for flights to both Milwaukee and San Juan 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 daySan Juan $36Milwaukee $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Family Fun Food Tour: $80
- Local Food Tour: $97
- Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Milwaukee $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Full-Day Tour: El Yunque, Luquillo Beach, Bio Bay Night Kayaking: $155
- Rum Craft Cocktail Tour in San Juan: $65
- 1 or 2 Hour Puerto Rico Horseback Ride Experience!: $210
- Arte Boriken-Urban Art & Beach Sip & Paint Tour: $145
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure from San Juan: $110
- Black Sand Beach- See The Southeast of Puerto Rico Private Tour: $150
- Carolina: ATV Adventure at Campo Rico Ranch with Guide: $136
- Cave Day Tour From San Juan: $109
- Craft Beer Private Tour in San Juan: $168
- Cruise Ship Travelers: Hike to a Hidden Puerto Rican Waterfall: $85
- Culebra Snorkeling Tour by Catamaran from Fajardo: $175
- Discover El Yunque: Half-Day Rainforest Tour: $115
Tours and Activities in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Sailing Adventure in Lake Michigan (up to 6 people): $128
- 2 Hours Private Tour of Milwaukee Marvels: $248
- 2-Hour Bus Tour in Milwaukee City: $40
- Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Cream City Cannibal: Jeffery Dahmer Walking Tour: $53
- Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour : $67
- Downtown Kenosha Urban Art and Photography Walking Tour: $30
- Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
- Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $12
- Milwaukee Magic: A Private Christmas Lights Tour: $650
- Milwaukee Marvels: A 2-Hour Private Tour: $483
- Milwaukee Private Ghost Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Milwaukee $33
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99
When comparing the travel costs between San Juan and Milwaukee, we can see that San Juan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Milwaukee is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan Expensive? and Is Milwaukee Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan and Milwaukee, 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 San Juan or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Juan or Milwaukee in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Milwaukee. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, San Juan is a little warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Milwaukee averages at about 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Milwaukee this time of the year. In San Juan, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Juan usually receives less sunshine than Milwaukee during summer. San Juan gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Juan usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Milwaukee in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Milwaukee. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene.
In October, San Juan is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Juan this time of the year. In the autumn, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. San Juan gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun.
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than Milwaukee. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Milwaukee in the Winter?
Both Milwaukee and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.
It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. San Juan is much warmer than Milwaukee in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan. San Juan usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during winter. San Juan gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, San Juan usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Milwaukee in the Spring?
Both Milwaukee and San Juan during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, San Juan is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Milwaukee averages at about 47°F (8°C).
In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan. In the spring, San Juan often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. San Juan gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun.
San Juan usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Milwaukee. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)
Typical Weather for Milwaukee and San Juan
| San Juan | Milwaukee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 inches (44 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.