Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Wilmington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Wilmington or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Wilmington or Saint Thomas?
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilmington $204Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Wilmington is $204, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Wilmington and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilmington $120Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilmington $240Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Wilmington and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Wilmington or Saint Thomas? 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: Wilmington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wilmington $47Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Wilmington or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Wilmington 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 dayWilmington $56Saint Thomas $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wilmington $17Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $50
- 2-Hour Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour: $55
- 2.5 Hr E-Bike tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & one Haunted Pub: $65
- 4.5 Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
- 4.5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Adventure Tour: $85
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Craft Beer and History Crawl Shared Experience in Wilmington: $30
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $21
- Eco Kayak Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $75
- Half Day Carolina Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
- Half-Day E-Bike Tour of Wilmington's History, Haunts & Breweries: $85
- Half-Day E-Bike Tour of the Filming Locations in One Tree Hill: $85
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- 2-Day Adventure Tour of St Thomas and St John: $199
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Tour: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilmington $39Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Wilmington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Wilmington:
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
- 2-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Bar Crawl: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Wilmington and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Wilmington is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Saint Thomas?
Wilmington has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Saint Thomas, 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 Wilmington or Saint Thomas?
Wilmington has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Wilmington or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Wilmington are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Wilmington is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. Wilmington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Wilmington gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Wilmington. In July, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWilmington 81°F (27°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Wilmington during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the autumn, Wilmington is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wilmington in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Wilmington. In the autumn, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wilmington usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWilmington 65°F (18°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Wilmington and Saint Thomas. The winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Wilmington is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Wilmington average around 45°F (7°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Wilmington usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Wilmington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Wilmington usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWilmington 45°F (7°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Wilmington or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Wilmington as well as Saint Thomas. The beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Wilmington is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Wilmington averages around 63°F (17°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In the spring, Wilmington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 278 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Wilmington usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Thomas. Wilmington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWilmington 63°F (17°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Wilmington
| Wilmington | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 47°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 65°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 56°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.