Which place is cheaper, San Diego or Duck Key?
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 Duck Key or San Diego?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Duck Key and San Diego can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or San Diego?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Duck Key Prices
USA PricesSan Diego Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $175San Diego $233
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $233. 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 Duck Key and San Diego in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56San Diego $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112San Diego $230
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and San Diego
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or San Diego? 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: San Diego Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69San Diego $23
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Tijuana to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) – Departure Private Transfer: $70
- Tijuana Intl Airport (TIJ) to Playas de Rosarito - Arrival Private Transfer: $276
- Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) to Tijuana hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Sedan Departure Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN: $104
- Sedan Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego: $125
- San Marcos, CA to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- One Way Airport Hotel Shuttle Transfer: $68
- San Diego hotel/address to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- San Diego Airport: One-Way Transfer to San Diego downtown: $90
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Marcos, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or San Diego?
Prices for flights to both San Diego and Duck Key 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 dayDuck Key $77San Diego $77
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- 2-Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- 2-Hour Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- Tijuana Street Food Tour for Foodies: $79
- Pizza and Ice Cream Walking Tour: $80
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $84
- San Diego Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30San Diego $48
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Gaslamp Quarter to Little Italy Tour: $39
- Guided Meditation and Mountain Hike Tour in San Diego: $62
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $28
- Old Town Walking Tour: $129
- San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- The Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour: $99
- The La Jolla Walking Tour: $119
- The Little Italy Walking Tour: $99
- 1 Hour GPS Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $92
- 1-Hour Private Scenic Tandem Sidecar Tour in San Diego: $99
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 2-Hour Downtown and Balboa Tour in GPS Guided Vanderhall GoCar: $288
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99San Diego $21
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Downtown Bar Crawl Party Pass: $25
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Hillcrest Drag Queen 5 Bar Crawl with Shots: $45
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- $99 Valle de Guadalupe Wine Tours - DayTrip to baja from San Diego: $123
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $165
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is San Diego Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or San Diego?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 2500 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and San Diego, 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 Duck Key or San Diego?
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.
Should I visit Duck Key or San Diego in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and San Diego. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Diego for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Duck Key is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and San Diego fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during summer. Duck Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Duck Key usually receives more rain than San Diego. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)San Diego 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or San Diego in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as San Diego. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to San Diego because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Duck Key is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and San Diego averages at about 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Duck Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Duck Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.
Duck Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Duck Key usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)San Diego 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or San Diego in the Winter?
Both San Diego and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In January, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 70°F (21°C), and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego during winter. Duck Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Duck Key usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Diego. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)San Diego 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or San Diego in the Spring?
Both San Diego and Duck Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Duck Key is much warmer than San Diego in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and San Diego fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Duck Key. In the spring, Duck Key often gets more sunshine than San Diego. Duck Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.
Duck Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Diego. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)San Diego 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for San Diego and Duck Key
| Duck Key | San Diego | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
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.