Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Ocean City?
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 Ocean City or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Ocean City or Saint Thomas? 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 Thomas?
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 Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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.
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Ocean City Prices
USA PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcean City $196Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocean City is $196, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Ocean City and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcean City $83Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcean City $166Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Ocean City and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Ocean City or Saint Thomas? 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: Ocean City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocean City $47Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocean City or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Ocean City 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 dayOcean City $85Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocean City $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcean City $14Saint Thomas $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ocean City and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocean City or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ocean City. When comparing the sizes of Ocean City and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Ocean City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Ocean City or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ocean City as well as Saint Thomas. The summer months attract visitors to Ocean City because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the summer, Ocean City is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ocean City in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
Ocean City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Ocean City usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Ocean City gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcean City 77°F (25°C)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Ocean City is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Ocean City average around 58°F (14°C), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In October, Ocean City usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Ocean City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcean City 58°F (14°C)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Ocean City. Ocean City is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Ocean City averages around 35°F (2°C) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Ocean City usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Ocean City gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcean City 35°F (2°C)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ocean City or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocean City and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Ocean City in the spring for the beaches. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Ocean City is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ocean City in April average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
In April, Ocean City usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Ocean City gets 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcean City 54°F (12°C)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Ocean City
| Ocean City | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 5.3 inches (135 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.