Should you visit Austin or Pasadena?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Pasadena, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Pasadena
Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.
Which city is cheaper, Pasadena or Austin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Austin is $114, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $50. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Austin and Pasadena in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $40 for a double occupancy room in Pasadena.
Food
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in Pasadena cost around $15 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.00.
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Food
Meals for one day
Austin $28
Pasadena $15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
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Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
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Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
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Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
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East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
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Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
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Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
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Secret Food Tour:
$288
Typical Food prices in Pasadena
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $17 per day to get around in Pasadena.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
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Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
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Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
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Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
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Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
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Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
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Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Pasadena?
Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Austin typically cost an average of $22 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
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Austin Trails Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$20
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Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
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Haunted History Ghost Tour:
$21
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Double Decker Austin Single Loop Sightseeing Tour:
$23
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Spy Adventure: Operation Mindfall:
$25
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Spy Adventure at the Domain in Austin:
$25
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Operation Mindfall, A Spy Adventure in Austin:
$25
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Austin Street Art Walking Tour:
$25
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Haunted Austin Walking History Tour:
$26
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Austin and Hill Country Sightseeing Tour:
$26
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Downtown Austin Photo Tour:
$26
Tours and Activities in Pasadena
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:
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Private Self-Guided Tour of Pasadena in Los Angeles:
$19
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Private Christmas Tour with Christmas Afternoon Tea Ceremony in Old Pasadena:
$220
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
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Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
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More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
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Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
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Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
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Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
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The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
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Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
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Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
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Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
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Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
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Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Pasadena, we can see that Austin is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Austin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Austin than you might in Pasadena.
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