Which place is cheaper, New York City or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Juan or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan 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: San Juan or New York City?
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.
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 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248New York City $350
Compare Hotels in San Juan and New York City
Looking for a hotel in San Juan 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14New York City $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from San Juan, Rio Grande, Loiza, Luquillo or return: $80
- Transfer from San Juan to Rincon or Rincon to San Juan: $167
- Transfer from San Juan to Humacao or Humacao to San Juan: $80
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Transfer SJU Airport to Dorado. Hotels and Airbnb. Vice Versa One Way Trip.: $140
- Transfer SJU Airport to Cruise Port / Vice Versa in Old S.J ONLY: $65
- Transfer Ceiba Port Vieques and Culebra to San Juan Area or San Juan to Ceiba Po: $125
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan hotels to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
- San Juan Puerto Rico Private Luxury Transfers: $105
- San Juan Port to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- San Juan Luxury Private Round-Trip Transfer: SJU Airport - Cruise Pier - Hotel: $80
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:
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers: $296
- Private Package JFK or LGA (Return Transfers + Contrasts): $295
- New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Baltimore City - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- NY Kennedy Airport JFK to Baltimore Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Private Transfer from New York Airport (JFK) to New York Hotels: $281
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Luxury Group Airport Transfers and Event Shuttles: $275
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $260
- JFK/LGA/EWR to Manhattan Private Transfer - Up to 14 Pax: $250
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $62New York City $87
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:
- Fly Dining 4 Course Sunset and City Light Dinner Over San Juan: $159
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
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:
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $34
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
- Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
- Lower Manhattan's Ultimate Pizza Crawl experience (5 tastings): $46
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- East Village Food Tour | Tasty Tours NYC: $50
- Lower East Side Food Tour: Iconic Eats & NYC History Walking Tour: $60
- NYC Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour: $63
- Lower East Side Skip-the-Line Food Tour with Museum Entry: $64
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $65
- Asian Food Tour NYC Flushing Chinatown: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49New York City $180
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.
- 1 Hour Historical UTV Tour in San Juan: $200
- 1)El Yunque Rainforest and Famous Luquillo Beach Experience: $96
- 2 Tours in 1 Day: Rainforest Waterslides & Beach Tour w/Transport: $60
- 3 Tours in 1 Day: Old San Juan, Rainforest, Beach with Transport: $65
- ATV Double Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $221
- ATV Single Rider Adventure Near San Juan - Hacienda Campo Rico: $149
- Adventure Water Bike in Condado Lagoon, San Juan: $60
- Arecibo Cave Cliffside Waterfall Adventure: $139
- Bio Bay Magic and Rum Tasting Tour from San Juan: $250
- Bio Bay Night Kayak Tour with Transport from San Juan: $125
- Bioluminescent Bay Kayak Adventure Tour from San Juan: $110
- Cave Adventure in Charco Azul: Pick up from Luquillo & Rio Grande: $135
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:
- "International Express" 7 Train Ultimate Authentic NYC Experience: $55
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour: $133
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max: $133
- 1 Day New York Tour from Baltimore: $269
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $250
- 1 Hour Private Guided Tour: $50
- 1 or 2 hour Central Park Pedicab Tour.: $39
- 1-Day New York City Tour: Liberty Cruise & One World Observatory: $168
- 1-Day New York Highlight Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York In-Depth Tour: $130
- 1-Day New York Insider Tour: $180
- 10+ stops Central Park Pedicab Tour Customizable Landmarks: $250
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 daySan Juan $12New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- Puerto Rico Tobacco Farm and Local Brewery Tour: $109
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour!: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $28
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- NYC FIFA Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- Full day Long Island Brewery Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 San Juan.
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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan 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 San Juan or New York City?
New York City 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 New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Juan is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 28°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, San Juan usually receives less rain than New York City. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit San Juan or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan as well as New York City. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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, San Juan is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
San Juan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan usually gets more rain in October than New York City. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 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 OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit San Juan or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City 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, 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, San Juan is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 25°C (77°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, San Juan usually receives less rain than New York City. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 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 JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit San Juan or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City 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. Also, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
San Juan is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
San Juan usually gets less rain in April than New York City. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 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 AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and San Juan
| San Juan | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.