A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ocean City vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Ocean City or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Ocean City or Saint John? 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 Saint John?

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Ocean City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ocean City is in North America and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, 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 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Ocean City or Saint John?

Ocean City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Saint John. Most visitors come to Ocean City for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Ocean City is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Ocean City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Saint John. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Ocean City or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Saint John. The autumn months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In October, Ocean City is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint John. Ocean City usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Ocean City or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Ocean City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ocean City this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Ocean City in the winter. Ocean City is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In January, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Saint John. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Ocean City or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Ocean City during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Ocean City for the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In the spring, Ocean City is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Ocean City usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Ocean City