Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Austin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Austin or Calgary?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Calgary, 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: Austin or Calgary?
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAustin $142Calgary $154
The average daily cost (per person) in Austin is $142, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $154. 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 Austin and Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAustin $56Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAustin $112Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Austin and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Austin or Calgary? 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: Austin Hotel Prices and Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Austin $47Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Private Transfer Between Airport and Hotels: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $64
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Calgary Airport YYC to Calgary in Luxury Van: $128
- Banff To Calgary Airport - Private Transfer: $365
- Calgary Air to Fairmont/Radium Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $295
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff Thermal Round-Trip Transfer: $277
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Banff | Private Transfer: $185
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Jasper Thermal Resorts Arrival Transfer: $169
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise - Arrival Private Transfer: $115
- Calgary Airport (YYC) to Lake Louise | Private Transfer: $235
- Calgary Airport to Banff Thermal Resorts Private Arrival Transfer: $139
- Calgary Airport to Kicking Horse Private Round Trip Transfer: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary and Austin 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 dayAustin $35Calgary $31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
- East Austin Food Tour: $44
- Devour Downtown Austin Walking Food Tour: $80
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
- Secret Food Tour: $97
- Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Secret Food Tour of South Congress: $107
- The Brunch Bus: Food Tour with a Live Band on Board the Bus!: $125
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
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Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Austin $28Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Austin Duck Tour$31
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Round Rock by Operation City Quest: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Austin by Wacky Walks: $10
- Austin,TX: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Austin Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Guide: $17
- Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Downtown Austin Haunted History Tour: $24
- Austin Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Ghost Maker Tour in Georgetown: Adults Only: $25
- Family-Friendly Ghosts of Austin Tour: $25
- KuneKune Pig Farm Tour: $25
- Ha Ha Haunted Austin Walking Ghost Tour: $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary
Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Stampede Admission (for 2)$22
Tours and Activities in Calgary
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Bow River Trail Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Bow River Trail: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.22
- 3-Hour Tips Based Walking Tour of Calgary: $5.46
- 3-hour Tips-Based City Walking Tour: $6.58
- Explore the Stampede City with Walking Tours in Calgary: $6.68
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Calgary with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- Rocky Mountains: Smartphone Driving and Walking Audio Tours: $15
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Calgary with Holly Jolly Hunt: $21
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAustin $28Calgary $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
- Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Downtown Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin: $39
- From Texas Hill Country Brewery & Distillery Shuttle: $65
- Half-Day Hill Country Brewery and Distillery Shuttle from Austin: $65
- Private Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab with All-Inclusive Beer Flight Option: $70
- 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
- The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band: $125
- Half-Day Private Texas Hill Country Wine Tour from Austin: $143
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary Brewery and Wine Tours at Award Winning Venues: $83
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $90
When comparing the travel costs between Austin and Calgary, we can see that Calgary is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Austin Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Austin or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 50% larger than the population of Austin. When comparing the sizes of Austin and Calgary, 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.
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.