Which place is cheaper, Tampa or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kingston or Tampa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Tampa, 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 Tampa?
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.
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
-
Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesTampa Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Tampa $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Tampa 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 Kingston and Tampa in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Tampa $85
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Tampa $170
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Tampa
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Tampa? 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 Tampa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Tampa $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Arrivals or Departures Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Kingston : $136
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Tampa Airport TPA to Tampa City in Luxury SUV: $94
- Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Lakeland / Winter Haven to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA): $36
- Private One-way Transfer from Tampa Airport To Tampa: $100
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $144
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $144
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Land O' Lakes Florida: $100
- Private Transfer from Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa hotels: $59
- Private transfer Tampa airport To Ruskin, FL: $112
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA): $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Tampa?
Prices for flights to both Tampa 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKingston $44Tampa $92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ybor City Food Tour with 5 Local Delicacies Tastings: $100
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Tampa $20
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 Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Ybor City Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Ybor City Immigrant influence Smart Phone guided App (GPS) walking tour: $9.75
- Tampa's Highlights Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Tampa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Tampa Riverwalk Private Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Tampa with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $23
- Tides of Tethered Terror: Tampa Ghost Tours: $24
- Selfie WRLD Admission Ticket: $25
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park Ticket with After Hours Option: $30
- Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour: $31
- Tampa History Cruise: $31
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Tampa $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl: $12
- Naples Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tampa Terrors: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Tampa Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Wine Tasting Experience in Historic Ybor: $40
- Tampa Bar Crawl on New Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Downtown 3-Hour Food and Wine Tour: $145
- Tampa's Top Dive Bar Tour Experience by Golf Cart: $275
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Tampa, we can see that Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa 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 Tampa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Tampa?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Tampa, 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 Tampa?
Tampa 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 Tampa in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Tampa. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Tampa in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Tampa fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tampa. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Tampa. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Tampa 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Tampa in the Autumn?
Both Tampa and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tampa because of the city's sights and attractions.
In the autumn, Kingston is a little warmer than Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Tampa. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Tampa 75°F (24°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Tampa in the Winter?
Both Tampa and Kingston during the winter 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 cuisine are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).
In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Tampa. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Tampa 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Tampa in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Tampa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Kingston is a little warmer than Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Tampa during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Tampa. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Tampa 71°F (22°C)
Typical Weather for Tampa and Kingston
| Kingston | Tampa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.