Which place is cheaper, New York City or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City? 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: Saint Thomas or New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
-
Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. 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 Saint Thomas and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131New York City $175
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or New York City? 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: New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37New York City $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental$65
-
Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- 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
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
-
Subway$4.50
-
Taxi Ride$8.00
-
Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Empire State Building NYC Tour, Pre-booked Tickets, Transfer: $300
- New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Baltimore City - Arrival Private Transfer: $300
- Skip the line One World Observatory Private Tour with Transfers : $296
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Private Transfer from New York Airport (JFK) to New York Hotels : $287
- Private Transfer from or to New York to EWR Airport or vice versa: $280
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- New York City Airport Arrival Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $260
- EWR, LGA, JFK Private Airport Transfer in NYC with SUV or Sedan: $252
- JFK/LGA/EWR to Manhattan Private Transfer - Up to 14 Pax: $250
- New York City Airport Departure Transfer by Sprinter LGA JFK EWR: $250
- Private SUV New York City Airport Departure Transfer : $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $94New York City $87
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
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Gelato$7.50
-
Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
-
Coffee$6.53
-
Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- East Village Noho Food Tour: $32
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $35
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $35
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $49
- New York City's Best Pizza tour: $59
- Made in Brooklyn Food Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
- New York's Classic Eats West Village Food Tour: $75
- New York's Classic Eats Lower East Side Food Tour: $75
- Union Square Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $75
- East Village Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60New York City $180
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Comedy Show Tickets$56
-
City Map$8.00
-
Broadway Musical$111
-
Broadway Show Program$10
-
Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- 9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket: $65
- Central Park Pedicab Tours - History and Movie Locations: $50
- Godfather Movie Locations New York Tour with Private Guide: $195
- Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour: $35
- Harlem Bronx Brooklyn Queens Tour in 7 Hours: $65
- New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village: $39
- Official Central Park Pedicab Tours: $50
- VIP Central Park Experience Tour with photos 50min~Skip the line: $280
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $94
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket with VIP Experience and Lunch: $299
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour: $133
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour : $22
- NYC Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $33
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Greenwich Village Piano Bar Crawl: $50
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and New York City 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Saint Thomas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 400 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and New York City, 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 Saint Thomas or New York City?
New York 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 Saint Thomas or New York City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than New York City in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and New York City fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
New York City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as New York City. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and New York City averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or New York City in the Spring?
Both New York City and Saint Thomas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than New York City in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and New York City fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 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.