Which place is cheaper, Alaska or California?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit California or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for California and Alaska. 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: California or Alaska?
California
California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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California Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $286Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 California and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $116Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $232Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in California and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in California or Alaska? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.California $42Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Group Transfer From or To Los Angeles LAX Airport: $15
- San Francisco: SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $31
- Private Arrival Transfer from John Wayne Orange County Airport SNA: $32
- Private Transfer Los Angeles Airport LAX From To LA: $36
- Shared ride Arrival Transfer John Wayne airport to Anaheim hotels: $36
- Los Angeles: Private Transfer to/from Los Angeles LAX Airport: $36
- Oakland Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $37
- San Diego Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $37
- Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Private Transfer From or To San Francisco SFO Airport: $39
- Private Departure Transfer to Burbank Airport (BUR): $40
- Sacramento Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Whittier to Anchorage Post Cruise Scenic Transfer Tour: $195
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $217
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $89
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $247
- Seward Cruise Transfer with Wildlife & Scenic Tour to Anchorage: $249
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into California or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and California 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 dayCalifornia $79Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Monica Holiday Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cheer & More: $70
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Fun Wonton Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Francisco: Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover Yosemite National Park: A Self-Guided Tour: $1.12
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.42
- Solvang Princess Magical Family Adventure: $4.00
- Missing Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $4.84
- San Francisco Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $4.86
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $4.86
- Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $4.86
- Agnews Historic Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Downtown San Francisco Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Pasadena Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- San Francisco Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- 1 Hour Fairbanks Guided, Double Rider, Snowmobile Adventure: $260
- 1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers: $130
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $175
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $57
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $95
- 2 Hour Private Marine Wildlife Tour: $200
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $85
- 3 Hour Guided Driving Tour in Hoonah Alaska: $150
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Wild Wolf Tours: $125
- 3 Hour SHERP Tour: Denali Fat Truck Tours: $249
- 3 Hour Scenic Birding Cruise: $175
- 3 Hour guided Fishing Experience/class in Juneau: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in California
Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A Spectacular Bar Crawl: Long Beach Boss: $12
- An Epic Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Palm Springs: $15
- Myka Estates Wine Tasting Reservation: $15
- Temecula Valley Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Guide: $20
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $25
- Sacramento Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sitka Haunted Pub Crawl: Ghost Stories, Local History & Drinks: $104
- Lumberjack Cove Distillery Tour with Infusion Experience: $119
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Arctic Ale Trail: a Fairbanks Brewery Tour with Drinks & Pickup.: $189
When comparing the travel costs between California and Alaska, we can see that California 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, California or Alaska?
California has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of California and Alaska, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.