A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Ocean City vs. North Conway for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocean City or North Conway?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Ocean City or North Conway? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Ocean City or North Conway?

Ocean City

One of the most popular vacation areas of the U.S. east coast, Ocean City is a long-time resort town, taking roots as a getaway when the first beach-front cottage was built in 1869. The destination sits on a strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay. The Atlantic Hotel was the first major hotel, built in 1875 and still in business today. It has been family owned and operated since Charles W. Purnell bought it in 1923.

North Conway

North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and North Conway, we can see that North Conway is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocean City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocean 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 North Conway would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in North Conway than you might in Ocean City.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocean City Expensive? and Is North Conway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Ocean City or North Conway?

Ocean City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and North Conway, 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 Ocean City or North Conway?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Ocean City or North Conway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as North Conway. The summer months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Ocean City is generally a little warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 77°F (25°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than North Conway. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or North Conway in the Autumn?

Both North Conway and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year.

Ocean City is much warmer than North Conway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 58°F (14°C) in October, and North Conway fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

In October, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as North Conway. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Ocean City or North Conway in the Winter?

Both North Conway and Ocean City during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

North Conway can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. In the winter, Ocean City is much warmer than North Conway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ocean City in January average around 35°F (2°C), and North Conway averages at about 21°F (-6°C).

Ocean City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as North Conway. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or North Conway in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and North Conway. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Ocean City is generally much warmer than North Conway. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 54°F (12°C), and North Conway fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).

In April, Ocean City usually receives around the same amount of rain as North Conway. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while North Conway receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for North Conway and Ocean City