Which place is cheaper, Seattle 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 Seattle?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Seattle, 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 Seattle?
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesSeattle Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Seattle $242
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $242. 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 Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Seattle $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Seattle
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Seattle? 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 Seattle Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Seattle $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
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Lightrail from Airport (for 2)$5.50
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Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport private transfer. Pick up: $47
- Arrival Private Transfer: Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle in Business Car: $113
- Arrival Private Transfer: Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle in Luxury Car: $160
- Arrival Private Transfer: Seattle Airport SEA to Seattle in Luxury SUV: $131
- Departure Private Transfer: Seattle to Seattle Airport SEA in Luxury Car: $160
- From Seattle Airport - Transfer to Hotel & Homes: $265
- From Seattle Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $265
- From Seattle Hotels - Hotel Transfer to Airport: $175
- From Snoqualmie Falls and Wineries Tour w/ Transfer: $145
- One - Way Transfer from Pier 66 to SeaTac international Airport : $27
- One-Way Seattle Airport Transfer Service: $27
- One-Way Transfer: Pier 91 to Airport : $28
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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 $44Seattle $88
Typical Food Prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70$7.00
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Cashews at Pike Place Market$6.00
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6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market$3.25
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Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)$21
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Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)$32
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Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
- Bite-Sized Seattle History & Food Tour: $26
- Meet Me at the Market Food Tour: $44
- Seattle Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $71
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market: $72
- Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $73
- Japanese Ramen Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Seattle Pike Market Food Tasting Tour with Secret Food Tours: $75
- Plant Based in Pike Place Food Tour (GF available): $79
- Chef Food Tour of Seattle Space Needle and Seattle Center: $85
- Festive Flavors of Pike Place Market Holiday Food Tour: $110
- Pike Place Market Gourmet Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Seattle $16
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Everett by Operation City Quest: $10
- Seattle Audio Tour on Capital Hill Adventure: $15
- Seattle Kraken Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $19
- National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
- Skip the Line: Daily Admission at Woodland Park Zoo Ticket: $20
- Seattle City Walking Tour: Along the Waterfront: $22
- Smith Tower Observatory Admission Ticket: $22
- Seattle Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Smith Tower Observatory Access Ticket: $25
- Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center Admission Tickets : $25
- Sinister Sins, Scandal, and Shadows: Seattle Ghost Tour: $27
- The Museum of Flight Entry Ticket: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Seattle $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
- Seattle Bar Crawl Belltown Bar Blitz: $15
- Seattle Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Where the Hops Grow! Yakima Brewery Tour : $45
- Diverse Wine Tasting Experience Near Pike Place Market: $75
- Diverse Wine Tasting Experience with Bites: $75
- Woodinville Guided Wine Tour with Optional Tastings: $109
- Bainbridge Island Discovery and Wine Tour: $159
- All-inclusive Wine Tasting and Lunch Experience: $249
- From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $344
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Seattle?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Seattle. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Seattle, 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 Seattle?
Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
Kingston is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Seattle. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Seattle 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Seattle in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Seattle. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Seattle 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 Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Seattle. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Seattle 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Seattle in the Winter?
Both Seattle and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Seattle. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Seattle. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Seattle 42°F (5°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Seattle in the Spring?
Both Seattle and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Seattle 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Seattle and Kingston
| Kingston | Seattle | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 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.