Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Berkshires?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkshires or Santa Cruz?
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 Cruz 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 Cruz?
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 Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
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 Cruz $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $126. 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 Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkshires $141Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkshires $282Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or Santa Cruz? 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 Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkshires $47Santa Cruz $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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 Cruz $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkshires $25Santa Cruz $18
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 Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $3.99
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
- Santa Cruz:City Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkshires $31Santa Cruz $8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting: $199
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
- Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup: $750
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Santa Cruz, we can see that Berkshires is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz.
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 Cruz Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Berkshires or Santa Cruz?
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 Cruz in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Berkshires is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 72°F (22°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In July, Berkshires usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkshires 72°F (22°C)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Santa Cruz. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
Berkshires is much colder than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 51°F (11°C) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Berkshires usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkshires 51°F (11°C)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
Both Santa Cruz and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Berkshires can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Berkshires is much colder than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berkshires in January average around 22°F (-6°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).
In January, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkshires 22°F (-6°C)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz and Berkshires during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
In April, Berkshires is generally much colder than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 47°F (9°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Berkshires usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkshires 47°F (9°C)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Berkshires
| Berkshires | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 47°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 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.