Should you visit Berkeley or Pasadena?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley 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.
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
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 Berkeley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $152, 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 Berkeley and Pasadena in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Berkeley is about $210 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 price of a meal in Berkeley can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $29 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $12 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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
Berkeley $29
Pasadena $15
Typical Food prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
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Learn to Make New Orleans-Style Gumbo in a Private Berkeley Cooking Class:
$66
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Best of North Berkeley Food Tour:
$110
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North 3-Hour Food Tour:
$116
Typical Food prices in Pasadena
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $24 per day to get around in Berkeley.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $17 per day to get around in Pasadena.
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Pasadena?
Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Berkeley 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
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $24 per person, per day in Berkeley. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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
The average person spends about $10 on alcoholic beverages in Berkeley per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Pasadena, we can see that Berkeley 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Pasadena.
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