Which place is cheaper, Martha's Vineyard or West Palm Beach?
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 West Palm Beach or Martha's Vineyard? 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 vibrant, fun-filled, and diverse beach area. It's also popular because of the beaches, nightlife, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See West Palm Beach travel costs.
Martha's Vineyard is a peaceful, affluent, and coastal island. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include shopping, food, and beaches. See Martha's Vineyard travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Martha's Vineyard than West Palm Beach, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Martha's Vineyard is better known for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while West Palm Beach is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. West Palm Beach is well known for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports. Martha's Vineyard is well known for its natural beauty, charming New England towns, and upscale local shopping. Also, Martha's Vineyard is famous for the Aquinnah Cliffs.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Martha's Vineyard and West Palm Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Martha's Vineyard is adequate for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
While most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of local museums in the area as well as the Martha's Vineyard Museum.
West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.
Martha's Vineyard is a great island 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 Martha's Vineyard. The region prioritizes sustainable agriculture and there are many local eateries that range from upscale to more casual. You'll find the greatest number of options during the peak summer months, but regardless of when you visit, you're sure to eat well.
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.
West Palm Beach is a great beach area for its evening party scene. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for nightlife.
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.
Most people don't head to Martha's Vineyard specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's more of a laid back vibe, but the best towns in the evening are Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.
West Palm Beach and Martha's Vineyard offer a relatively similar set of amazing luxury resort options.
For the ultimate resort vacation, West Palm Beach is a great choice. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Martha's Vineyard is a perfect choice. There are beautiful and luxurious resorts that attract celebrities and socialites. Many have pools and serene outdoor spaces that you can enjoy.
West Palm Beach is a great beach area for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.
Martha's Vineyard is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
West Palm Beach is an amazing beach area to visit for the beach. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.
West Palm Beach offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.
Martha's Vineyard is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are scenic and peaceful. Head to northern side of the island for shallow water, or south for more surf. While there are some public beaches that are open to everyone, there are also beaches that require a parking or town beach permit to visit.
Martha's Vineyard is a popular place for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.
Martha's Vineyard is a good destination for hiking. There are miles of trails around the island that pass through fields or along the coastline. The island is mostly flat, so the hikes are relatively easy for all skill levels.
West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.
Martha's Vineyard is a great island for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Martha's Vineyard. There are no malls, so you'll enjoy shopping at local stores that sell a mix of locally made items and name brand. There are many art galleries as well as craft festivals during the summer months.
West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Martha's Vineyard is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, West Palm Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.
Martha's Vineyard is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The rugged coastline and rolling hills give this area a natural beauty.
West Palm Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.
West Palm Beach is a great beach area for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Martha's Vineyard is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in West Palm Beach. 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.
Martha's Vineyard is a family-friendly place to visit. You can visit local farms or go to a local baseball game. There's also cafes, ice cream shops, and donut shops that kids will enjoy.
Martha's Vineyard is very popular for romance. Also, West Palm Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice beach area for its romantic activities.
Martha's Vineyard makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's filled with charming bed and breakfasts and plenty of New England charm. Couples will enjoy the quaint restaurants and mix of history, small town charm, and outdoor adventure.
West Palm Beach is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.
West Palm Beach is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Martha's Vineyard is not known for its public transit.
While West Palm Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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.
Public transit is generally limited in Martha's Vineyard. Access to the island is limited to boat and air. There's a bus service that connects the towns.
West Palm Beach and Martha's Vineyard are notable when it comes to walkability.
West Palm Beach is somewhat walkable. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.
Martha's Vineyard is a somewhat walkable place. Many of the towns have walkable downtown areas, but traveling between towns and into the countryside requires a vehicle.
For even more information, also check out Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Martha's Vineyard Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both West Palm Beach and Martha's Vineyard. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in West Palm Beach than in Martha's Vineyard. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for West Palm Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Martha's Vineyard.
Families should spend more time in West Palm Beach than Martha's Vineyard. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in West Palm Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard than West Palm Beach. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Martha's Vineyard that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard.
With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.
Martha's Vineyard is a small town with plenty to do. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the vibrant beach area of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Martha's Vineyard might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. 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.
With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the fun-filled destination of West Palm Beach, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this beach area makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.
Martha's Vineyard is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This island 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. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Since Martha's Vineyard is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus 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 West Palm Beach is $378, while the average daily cost in Martha's Vineyard is $285. 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 Martha's Vineyard in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in West Palm Beach or Martha's Vineyard? 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:
Prices for flights to both Martha's Vineyard 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:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for West Palm Beach.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Martha's Vineyard.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between West Palm Beach and Martha's Vineyard, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Martha's Vineyard much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Martha's Vineyard would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Martha's Vineyard 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 Martha's Vineyard.
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 Martha's Vineyard Expensive?.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Martha's Vineyard and West Palm Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Martha's Vineyard because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, West Palm Beach is generally a little warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 82°F (28°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Martha's Vineyard. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Martha's Vineyard during summer. West Palm Beach gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. In July, West Palm Beach usually receives more rain than Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Martha's Vineyard and West Palm Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Martha's Vineyard this time of year.
West Palm Beach is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard in the autumn. The daily temperature in West Palm Beach averages around 78°F (25°C) in October, and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
In Martha's Vineyard, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. In the autumn, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 211 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach usually gets more rain in October than Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both West Palm Beach and Martha's Vineyard. The cuisine are the main draw to West Palm Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Martha's Vineyard for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Martha's Vineyard. In the winter, West Palm Beach is much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Typically, the winter temperatures in West Palm Beach in January average around 65°F (19°C), and Martha's Vineyard averages at about 28°F (-2°C).
In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. West Palm Beach usually receives more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard during winter. West Palm Beach gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Martha's Vineyard receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, West Palm Beach usually receives less rain than Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to West Palm Beach as well as Martha's Vineyard. Many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Martha's Vineyard in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In April, West Palm Beach is generally much warmer than Martha's Vineyard. Daily temperatures in West Palm Beach average around 74°F (23°C), and Martha's Vineyard fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Martha's Vineyard. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In the spring, West Palm Beach often gets more sunshine than Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Martha's Vineyard receives 225 hours of full sun.
West Palm Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Martha's Vineyard. West Palm Beach gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Martha's Vineyard receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.
West Palm Beach | Martha's Vineyard | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Feb | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Mar | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
May | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Dec | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |