Should you visit Boston or Los Angeles?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Boston and Los Angeles. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
Which city is cheaper, Los Angeles or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $203, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $190. 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 Boston and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $264 for a double occupancy room in Boston.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Los Angeles, $222 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Los Angeles, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $111, such as in a hostel.
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Boston is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $28 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boston.
Los Angeles's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $29 per person, per day on transportation in Los Angeles.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi
$35
-
Subway Daily Pass
$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Boston City Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS):
$69
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown:
$69
-
Transfer from Boston Logan International Airport to Boston:
$85
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport:
$30
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel:
$30
-
Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston city -to Boston Airport (BOS):
$138
-
Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston:
$181
-
Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS):
$622
-
Private transfer: Boston Airport (BOS) to Boston:
$622
-
Private transfer from or to BOS Boston, MA:
$113
-
Private arrival OR departure transfer in Boston (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$132
-
Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport:
$117
Typical Local Transportation prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
-
Hotel Parking for a Day
$22
-
Taxi to Airport
$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Los Angeles Airport LAX:
$30
-
Private Departure Transfer to Los Angeles Airport LAX:
$30
-
Los Angeles Arrival Private Transfer: LAX Airport:
$31
-
Small-Group Amazing Hollywood Sign Tour with Transfer:
$32
-
Transfer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):
$39
-
Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Santa Monica - Arrival Private Transfer:
$41
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Los Angeles to Los Angeles Int. Airport (LAX):
$52
-
Private Van Airport Arrival Transfer: LAX Airport to Anaheim Resort Area:
$53
-
Private Departure Transfer from Los Angeles City to Los Angeles Airport:
$53
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Los Angeles Airport to Los Angeles City:
$57
-
Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer:
$61
-
Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$61
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Boston 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
In Boston travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
The price of a meal in Los Angeles can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $35 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Boston $40
Los Angeles $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
-
Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
$49
-
Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour:
$71
-
Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston):
$79
-
Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor:
$81
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End:
$103
-
Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet:
$105
-
Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$118
-
Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey:
$122
-
North End Neighborhood Food Tour:
$150
Typical Food prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
How to Cook the Perfect Steak Virtual Cooking Class:
$42
-
West Hollywood Food Tour:
$75
-
Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour:
$77
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Los Angeles Venice Beach:
$96
-
Private Authentic Middle Eastern Cooking Class in Reseda, Los Angeles:
$102
-
Luxury Vegan Food Tours of Los Angeles:
$125
-
Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach, Los Angeles w/ Private Tour Option:
$207
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Boston typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Los Angeles can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $64 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
-
2-Day Trip Philadelphia City Tour from Boston:
$519
-
6-Day Economy East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6E):
$448
-
6-Day Economy East Coast Tour (Boston departure)(BO6E):
$448
-
6-Day Tour East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6D):
$560
-
6-Day Tour East Coast Tour (Boston Departure)(BO6):
$560
-
6-Day U.S East Coast Tour (Boston departure) BO6U:
$560
-
7-Days Tour US east coast and Canada tour (Boston Departure) (BO7C):
$706
-
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Boston Harbor:
$44
-
Beer Tour:
$80
-
Best of Boston Tour - Private Safe Tour:
$185
-
Boston Back Bay Tourist Scavenger Hunt:
$36
-
Boston Chocolate Tours w/ Private Tour Option:
$204
Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Hollywood Boulevard’s Haunting History and Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$5.00
-
Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour:
$5.13
-
Hollywood Legends: A self-guided audio tour of the Sunset Strip:
$5.99
-
Hollywood Celebrity & Star Homes Self-Guided Driving Tour:
$6.40
-
City tour Los Angeles Chile:
$10
-
TCL Chinese Theatre VIP Tour:
$14
-
La Brea Tar Pits Museum Ticket:
$15
-
Melrose Self-Guided Tour of Instagrammable Places:
$19
-
Half Day Self-Guided Tour of Westwood in Los Angeles:
$19
-
Fun Self-Guided Tour of Hollywood in Los Angeles:
$19
-
Self-Guided Tour of Downtown Los Angeles with Fun Facts and Best Photo Ops:
$19
-
Venice Beach, CA WalkingTour:
$19
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Boston per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Typically, people visiting Los Angeles spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail:
$56
-
Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour:
$90
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
-
Brews Cruise- DTLA Brewery tour by bike:
$50
-
Brewery Walking Tour -- Downtown / Arts District:
$81
-
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles:
$249
-
Los Angeles Wine Tour:
$250
-
The Private Malibu Wine Tour:
$419
-
Food and Wine Tasting Party:
$750
-
Private Tour: Malibu Wine Tasting for Two by Limousine from Los Angeles:
$999
When comparing the travel costs between Boston and Los Angeles, we can see that Boston 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.
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