Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Berkshires?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Berkshires and Santa Barbara can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Berkshires or Santa Barbara?
Berkshires
The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.
The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkshires $244Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Berkshires and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkshires $141Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkshires $282Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or Santa Barbara? 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: Berkshires Hotel Prices and Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkshires $47Santa Barbara $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Berkshires 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 dayBerkshires $73Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkshires $25Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Berkshires
Here are a few actual costs in Berkshires for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Guided Private Forest Bathing Experience Lenox: $40
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $30
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Santa Barbara Ghost History and Mystery Walking Tour "Invisible Becomes Visible": $55
- Santa Barbara Ghost Tour "The Veil is Lifted" History & Mystery Walk: $55
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- The Haunt: Solvang Ghost Hunting Tour: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour: $60
- Catamaran Coastal Cruise: $62
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- Guided Sea Lion Kayaking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkshires $31Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Santa Barbara, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Berkshires would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkshires than you might in Santa Barbara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkshires Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Santa Barbara. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Berkshires is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkshires in July average around 72°F (22°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).
In July, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkshires 72°F (22°C)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Santa Barbara. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Berkshires is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Berkshires usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkshires 51°F (11°C)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
Both Santa Barbara and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Berkshires can be very cold during winter. Berkshires is much colder than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 22°F (-6°C) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkshires 22°F (-6°C)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
Both Santa Barbara and Berkshires during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the spring, Berkshires is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkshires in April average around 47°F (9°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).
Berkshires usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkshires 47°F (9°C)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Berkshires
| Berkshires | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 47°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.