Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Atlantic City?
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 Atlantic City or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Atlantic City and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Atlantic City or Saint Thomas?
Atlantic City
Atlantic City, on the southeastern coast of New Jersey, is a popular destination for gambling, partying, and generally having fun. The beach is lined with casinos, many with famous names, and there's a boardwalk that offers a diverse experience. Most people don't head to Atlantic City for the beaches - it's the casinos and partying that draws a crowd. This is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or anybody looking for an affordable place to gamble.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Atlantic City Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAtlantic City $190Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlantic City is $190, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Atlantic City and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAtlantic City $73Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAtlantic City $146Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Atlantic City and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Atlantic City 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: Atlantic City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Atlantic City $40Saint 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:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlantic City or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Atlantic City 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 dayAtlantic City $86Saint Thomas $94
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:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Atlantic City $44Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Atlantic City
Here are a few actual costs in Atlantic City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Private Escape Room Experience in Ocean City: $36
- 1-Hour Ocean Parasailing Adventure In Ocean City, MD: $95
- 1-Hour Private Party Assateague Island Pony Cruise in Ocean City: $200
- 1-Hour Private Party Happy Hour Booze Cruise in Ocean City, MD: $190
- 1-Hour Sea Rocket Sunset & OC Harbor Cruise in Ocean City, MD: $38
- 45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD: $40
- 75 Minute Private Party Back Bay Sunset Cruise in Ocean City, MD: $200
- Aces to Ashes: Apparitions of Atlantic City Boardwalk Ghost Tour: $31
- Assateague Horses, Herons and Happy Hour Cruise: $40
- Atlantic City Adventure Scavenger Hunt: $29
- Downtown/Boardwalk Foodie Tour: $110
- EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City, MD: $35
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAtlantic City $39Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlantic City and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Atlantic City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Atlantic City is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Atlantic City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlantic City 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Atlantic City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlantic City Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Saint Thomas?
Atlantic City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Saint Thomas?
Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Atlantic City during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Atlantic City is cooler than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 75°F (24°C) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Atlantic City. In the summer, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAtlantic City 75°F (24°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Atlantic City is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Atlantic City in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Atlantic City usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAtlantic City 56°F (13°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Atlantic City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Atlantic City is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 31°F (-0°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Atlantic City often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Atlantic City usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAtlantic City 31°F (-0°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Atlantic City or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the beaches during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Atlantic City is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 51°F (10°C) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlantic City. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAtlantic City 51°F (10°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Atlantic City
| Atlantic City | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 3 inches (76 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.