Which place is cheaper, Boston or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Should I visit Tampa or Boston? 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.
Tampa is a low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.
Boston is a classic, proud, and loyal city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Boston offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music. See Boston travel costs.
You'll generally find more things to do in Boston than Tampa. Boston is bigger than Tampa, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Boston is better known for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Tampa is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Boston is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.
Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.
Boston is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Tampa is not a theatre destination.
While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.
Tampa is not a theatre destination.
Boston is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Boston has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.
Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.
Boston is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.
Boston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.
Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.
Boston is a popular place for its music scene. However, Tampa is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.
Tampa is not a live music destination.
Tampa is a moderate city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Boston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.
Boston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Tampa is notable for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beach.
Many people visit Tampa for it's beautiful beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.
You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Tampa does not have a historic old town.
Boston offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.
Tampa does not have a historic old town.
Boston is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Boston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.
Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Boston is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.
Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.
Tampa does not offer Christmas activities.
Boston is an excellent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Tampa does not offer Christmas markets.
The Christmas markets in Boston offer plenty to see during the holidays. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.
Tampa does not offer Christmas markets.
Boston is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.
Boston offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The history, architecture, and world renowned university campuses all give this city its unique beauty.
Tampa is not a destination known for its beauty.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Boston is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.
Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.
Boston is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.
Boston is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.
Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.
Boston is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.
Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.
Many students frequent Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.
Tampa is not popular with students.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.
Public transit in Boston is top-notch. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.
Boston is an amazing city to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.
Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.
For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.
In either Tampa or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Tampa because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.
Families should spend more time in Boston than Tampa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Boston than Tampa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Tampa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boston.
Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Tampa. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
Tampa is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boston. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Boston is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the low-key destination of Tampa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
You'll find shopping and museums around the traditional big city of Boston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $218, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Tampa and Boston in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Boston? 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.
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
Prices for flights to both Boston and Tampa 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.
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Tampa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.
Boston has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Boston, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Boston. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Boston. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.
Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Boston and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions. 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 Boston this time of year.
In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Boston. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Boston and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. The cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. Tampa is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).
It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Boston. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Boston. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Boston. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Tampa | Boston | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |