Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Kingston?
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 Kingston or San Francisco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or San Francisco, 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: Kingston or San Francisco?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesSan Francisco Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123San Francisco $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 Kingston and San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Kingston and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or San Francisco? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28San Francisco $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One Way Transfer to San Francisco Airport: $147
- Private Transfer from SFO to San Francisco: $125
- Airport Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco by Luxury SUV: $138
- Airport Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO by Luxury SUV: $138
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $270
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $131
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $180
- California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $180
- California: SFE Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $140
- California: SFE Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $140
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
- Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Luxury SUV: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Kingston 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 dayKingston $44San Francisco $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
- Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
- No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
- North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
- San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
- Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $99
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12San Francisco $31
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
- City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Devon House City Tour Combo: $85
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- San Francisco Uncovered Self-Guided Adventure: $3.59
- Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Self-Guided Golden Gate Bridge Bike or Walking App Tour: $5.00
- The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- San Francisco (District 3) Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Tour: $7.73
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of the Golden Gate Bridge: $7.99
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $7.99
- San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Over the Rainbow in the Castro: A San Francisco Chronicle Self-Guided Tour: $8.99
- San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Private 1-Hour Walking Tour: $9.00
- Mafia Heist at the Bay: Escape Adventure in San Francisco: $9.61
- Self Guided Walking Tour of San Francisco Chinatown: $9.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
- San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
- Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and San Francisco is in North America, 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 Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or San Francisco?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 28% larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and San Francisco, 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 Kingston or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or San Francisco in the Summer?
Both San Francisco and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
Kingston is much warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Francisco in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and San Francisco. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for 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, Kingston is much warmer than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Francisco in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as San Francisco. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Kingston or San Francisco in the Spring?
Both San Francisco and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and Kingston
| Kingston | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.