Which place is cheaper, British Columbia or California?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit California or British Columbia?
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 British Columbia. 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 British Columbia?
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.
British Columbia
The westernmost province in Canada, British Columbia, is four times the size of Great Britain with less than one tenth of the population. This is due to the vast mountain ranges just ready to be tackled including the Rockies, Selkirks and the Coastal Range. With vibrant cities and ambitious outdoor activities, British Columbia is ready for any traveler.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
-
California Prices
USA PricesBritish Columbia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $286British Columbia $178,561
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in British Columbia is $178,561. 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 British Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $116British Columbia $96,298
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $232British Columbia $
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php on line 2880
192
Compare Hotels in California and British Columbia
Looking for a hotel in California or British Columbia? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.California $42British Columbia $13,305
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco by Luxury SUV: $130
- Airport Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO by Luxury SUV: $137
- Anaheim Resort Area to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Anaheim Resort: Private Transfer to or from San Diego.: $179
- Anaheim to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $131
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $106
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Luxury SUV: $118
- Arrival Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles by Business Car: $183
- Buena Park to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Catalina Island Trip with Hotel transfers & Optional tours: $207
- Catalina Island w/Discover Avalon Scenic Tour & Hotel transfers: $245
Hired Cars and Shuttles in British Columbia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in British Columbia:
- YVR Airport Transfer to Cruise Terminal and Hotels City Highlight: $214
- Whitewater Rafting from Vancouver with Lunch and Transfers: $294
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $107
- Whistler to Vancouver Private Transfer: $244
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $67
- Vancouver to Whistler Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $261
- Vancouver to Canada Place Cruise Port Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Vancouver hotels to Canada Place Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $120
- Vancouver Private Cruise Ship Transfer: $258
- Vancouver International Airport and Cruise Port Private Transfer: $256
- Vancouver Cruise Ship to/from YVR Airport.Hotel Private Transfer: $220
- Vancouver City Tour, Lookout Deck, & Optional Airport Transfer: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into California or British Columbia?
Prices for flights to both British Columbia 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
-
Food Meals for one dayCalifornia $79British Columbia $64,763
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dinner In San Francisco: $63
- Santa Monica Holiday Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cheer & More: $70
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $79
- Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
- Silverlake Food Tour with Comedian Guide: $85
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Francisco: Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85
- Speakeasy Murder Mystery Dinner at Buena Park: $87
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in British Columbia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in British Columbia.
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Vancouver: $63
- Eat Like a Canadian Food Tour | Victoria Sightseeing: $81
- Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks: $85
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $95
- Dim Sum Cooking Class with Chef Renée in Vancouver: $96
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $106
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $111
- Taste North Vancouver Shipyards - Food Tour with Local Eats: $115
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $121
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $122
- Whistler's Finer Things: 4-Course Dinner & Champagne Sabering: $169
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Gastronomic Gastown Food Tour: $227
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69British Columbia $11,401
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: $1.16
- Discover San Diego: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.55
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.55
- Downtown San Francisco Private Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Los Angeles Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.00
- San Jose State University: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Kid Led Interactive AR Adventure in Presidio National Park: $5.00
- San Francisco Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Los Angeles: Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Yountville Art Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Private Walking Berkeley: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
Tours and Activities in British Columbia
Here are a few actual costs in British Columbia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Private City Tour - Vancouver: $262
- 2 Hours eBike Whistler Multi-generational Tour with Local Guide: $99
- 24 Hour Hop On Hop Off Double Decker Victoria City Tour: $53
- 2hr City Highlights Private Tour in Victoria BC: $150
- 3 Hours Private Tour of City of Vancouver: $220
- 3 Star Boat at Nanaimo Area Fishing Ticket: $273
- 3.5 hour Sailing Adventure in Nanoose Bay: $147
- 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $171
- 4 Hour Whale and Wildlife tour: $174
- 4 Hours Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $264
- 4 Tours Audio Adventure between Whistler & Lake Louise: $22
- 4 hr Kayak Tour around Saysutshun/NewCastle Island in Nanaimo, BC: $108
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21British Columbia $4,356
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 Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
- Myka Estates Wine Tasting Reservation: $15
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $25
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sonoma County Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $30
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Paso Robles Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
- Napa Valley Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
- 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in British Columbia
Also in British Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pickle Pub Crawl in Victoria's Inner Harbour: $47
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $69
- Vancouver Behind-the-Scenes Brewery Tour: $92
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $107
- 4-Hour Okanagan Valley Wine Tasting. Wineries of East Kelowna Bench.: $108
- Signature Lake Country Wine Tour: $110
- Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $111
- Naramata Half Day Wine Tour (Incl. Tasting Fees & Guide Grat!): $117
- Lake Country Half Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
- Sunset Sip Wine Tour: $117
- East Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
- West Kelowna Half-Day Guided Wine Tour With 4 Wineries: $117
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and British Columbia, we can see that British Columbia is more expensive. And not only is California much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to California would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in California 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 British Columbia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in British Columbia than you might in California.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is British Columbia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, California or British Columbia?
California has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of British Columbia. When comparing the sizes of California and British Columbia, 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.