Which place is cheaper, Baltimore or West Palm Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit West Palm Beach or Baltimore? 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.
West Palm Beach is a diverse, vibrant, and fun-filled beach area. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife.
Baltimore is a historic, vibrant, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Baltimore than West Palm Beach. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Baltimore is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while West Palm Beach attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is famous for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Baltimore is famous for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also well known for the National Aquarium.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Baltimore and West Palm Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Baltimore is a great city for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.
West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Baltimore is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Baltimore. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.
If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find great options in both West Palm Beach and Baltimore.
The nightlife in West Palm Beach has something for everybody. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.
Baltimore offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.
West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Baltimore is not a resort destination.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, West Palm Beach is a perfect choice. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.
Baltimore is not a resort destination.
West Palm Beach is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Baltimore is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.
Baltimore is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Baltimore is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, West Palm Beach is a very popular vacation destination. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.
Baltimore is not a beach destination.
Baltimore is a great city for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.
West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either West Palm Beach or Baltimore.
West Palm Beach is a very family-friendly destination. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.
Baltimore is a very kid-friendly beach area. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.
West Palm Beach is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Baltimore is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Couples visit West Palm Beach frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.
Baltimore is a good beach area for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.
Baltimore is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.
West Palm Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Baltimore is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its public transit.
Public transit in Baltimore is fairly effecient and thorough. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.
West Palm Beach has a few public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.
Baltimore is a great city for its walkability. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its high level of walkability.
Baltimore is very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.
West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Baltimore. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Baltimore. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Baltimore.
Couples should spend more time in West Palm Beach than Baltimore. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in West Palm Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore than West Palm Beach 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 Baltimore.
You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beach area of West Palm Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
The diverse destination of Baltimore offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the diverse destination of West Palm Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from.
The city of Baltimore offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the vibrant beach area of West Palm Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach area makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer.
Baltimore is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
West Palm Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in West Palm Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Baltimore. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in West Palm Beach is $330, while the average daily cost in Baltimore is $184. 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 West Palm Beach and Baltimore in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in West Palm Beach or Baltimore? 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 West Palm Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:
Prices for flights to both Baltimore and West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for West Palm Beach.
Here are a few actual costs in Baltimore for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between West Palm Beach and Baltimore, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Baltimore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Baltimore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Baltimore 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in Baltimore.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is West Palm Beach Expensive? and Is Baltimore Expensive?.
Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of West Palm Beach. When comparing the sizes of West Palm Beach and Baltimore, 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 West Palm Beach as well as Baltimore. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, West Palm Beach is a little warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the summer temperatures in West Palm Beach in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Baltimore averages at about 78°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In the summer, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Baltimore. West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in July than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Baltimore and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Baltimore in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 78°F (25°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. West Palm Beach gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. In October, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.
Both Baltimore and West Palm Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the winter for the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Baltimore can be very cold during winter. West Palm Beach is much warmer than Baltimore in the winter. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and Baltimore fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. In the winter, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.
West Palm Beach usually gets less rain in January than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Baltimore. Most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the spring temperatures in West Palm Beach in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Baltimore averages at about 54°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during spring. West Palm Beach gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Baltimore. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.
West Palm Beach | Baltimore | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
Feb | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Mar | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
May | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Nov | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
Dec | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |