Should you visit Boston or Los Angeles?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Boston and Los Angeles can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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 $212, 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
A hotel room in Boston is about $302 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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.
Food
The average traveler spends about $32 per day in Boston 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.
The average traveler spends about $35 per day in Los Angeles 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Boston
$32
Los Angeles
$35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
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Italian Food Tour with Pizza, Meats, Cheese, & Bread:
$69
-
Boston's North End: Secret Food Tour:
$258
-
Boston North End Pizza Tour:
$49
-
Boston Buffet Dinner Cruise:
$99
-
Boston Dinner Cruise On The Odyssey:
$111
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Historic Taverns and Pizza Tour:
$49
-
Haunted Pizza Tour:
$66
-
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
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:
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Downtown Food Tour:
$75
-
3-Hour Secret Food Tour:
$209
-
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
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Boston is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $27 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boston.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Los Angeles than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $29 on transportation in Los Angeles on average per day.
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:
-
Logan Airport to Boston Hotels Private Transfer:
$123
-
Boston Airport Shared Transfer Service:
$29
-
Boston Private Transfer to Logan Airport (BOS):
$117
-
Boston Airport Private Sedan Transfer:
$143
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel:
$30
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport:
$30
-
Airport Transfer by Private Car Service:
$55
-
Private Arrival Transfer Boston Airport to Boston City:
$60
Typical Local Transportation prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Los Angeles:
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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:
-
LA in a Day: City Highlights Tour with Transfer Options:
$94
-
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
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Boston typically cost an average of $20 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Los Angeles, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $64 per day, per person.
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:
-
Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Sightseeing Trolley Tour:
$47
-
Revolutionary Story Walking Tour:
$50
-
Irish Christmas Carol Holiday Cruise Northern Lights:
$56
-
Weekend Brunch Cruise aboard Classic "Northern Lights":
$74
-
Plimoth Plantation & Plymouth Waterfront Tour from Boston:
$85
-
Classic Bites of Boston Tour & Optional Beer Tasting:
$86
-
Guided Sightseeing Tour with Harbor Cruise:
$145
-
Boston Citywalks: Private Personalized Walking Tour:
$450
-
Historic After Dark Ghosts and Spirits Tour:
$23
Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles
Here are a few typical costs in Los Angeles for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
Here are a few actual costs in Los Angeles for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
Hollywood Sign Comedy and Pictures Tour:
$30
-
Lonely Planet Experiences: Downtown Los Angeles Taco Tour:
$55
-
Marina Del Rey: Kayak and Paddleboard Tour with Sea Lions:
$59
-
Los Angeles, Hollywood, & Beverly Hills Afternoon City Tour:
$68
-
Make the Most of LA Small Group Tour:
$119
-
Best of Los Angeles Day Tour with German-Speaking Guide:
$149
-
California Coastline Helicopter Tour:
$199
-
30-Minute Tandem Paragliding Experience:
$240
-
1 Hour Sightseeing Helicopter Tour:
$445
-
Los Angeles Romantic Helicopter Tour with Mountain Landing:
$499
Alcohol
The average person spends about $19 on alcoholic beverages in Boston per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $11 on alcoholic beverages in Los Angeles per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
North End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Back Bay Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail:
$40
-
Craft Brewery Beer Tour:
$82
-
South End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour:
$90
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Also in Los Angeles, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Malibu: Vintage VW Hippie Sightseeing Tour with Wine Tasting:
$139
-
Malibu: Exclusive Wine Tasting and Falconry Experience:
$109
-
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
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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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