Which place is cheaper, Ontario 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 Ontario?
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 Ontario. 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 Ontario?
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.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
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 Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
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California Prices
USA PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $286Ontario $13,599
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $13,599. 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 Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $116Ontario $7,392
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $232Ontario $
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Compare Hotels in California and Ontario
Looking for a hotel in California or Ontario? 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 $42Ontario $2,114
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer from SAN to Legoland: $300
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles in Luxury Car: $295
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Carnival Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $291
- 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to PALM SPRINGS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $286
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $285
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $283
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $283
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $275
- Private Airport Transfer in California: $269
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Los Angeles port Round-Trip Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- YOW Ottawa Airport Transfer Service 1 Hour: $92
- Transfer to or from Waterloo region- Toronto Airport: $287
- Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $50
- Toronto Private Airport Transfer (YYZ to/from GTA): $101
- Toronto Pearson to Niagara Falls Private Transfer: $153
- Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls – (To/From Transfers): $137
- Toronto Pearson Airport Private Transfer Service to Niagara Falls: $269
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Hamilton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $263
- Toronto Airport YYZ Roundtrip Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $58
- Toronto Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $191
- Toronto Airport (YYZ) to Blue Mountains -Arrival Private Transfer: $241
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Toronto Airport (YYZ): $95
Is it cheaper to fly into California or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario 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 $79Ontario $4,361
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ocean Beach Walking Food Tour in San Diego: $60
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Santa Monica Holiday Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cheer & More: $70
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Fun Wonton Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Trendy Venue in Toronto: $54
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $60
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Guided Food Tour with Ice Wine & Poutine: $64
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $64
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $71
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $74
- 2 Hour Express Toronto Food Tour: Flavors of Kensington Market: $74
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $76
- Kingston: Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Secret Dish: $78
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $78
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $89
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69Ontario $1,470
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dead of the Night" SB Ghost Tour History & Mystery-Children FREE: $55
- "Lake Tahoe 101" : See The Whole Lake! 6 HR Shared Tour by Van.: $207
- 1 Hour Shared Parasailing Adventure in Oceanside: $99
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 14 Group Los Angeles Universal Studios One-Day Tour: $298
- 17 Mile Drive eBike Tour in Monterey: $59
- 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
- 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula&Carmel Premium Small Group Tour: $118
- 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
- 2 Hours Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Sunset Shared Boat Tour: $209
- 2 Hours Mountain View Treasure Hunt Adventure: $30
- 2 Hours Santa Monica Private Surfing Experience: $145
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- 1 Day Canoeing Tour in Algonquin Park: $90
- 1 Hour Flight Simulator Experience in Toronto: $112
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $43
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $298
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $57
- 20 km Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $150
- 3hr Discover Sailing Adventure: $194
- 60 Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 60-Minute Toronto Luxury Yacht Sightseeing Prosecco Cruise!: $104
- 90-Minute Toronto Luxury Yacht Sightseeing Prosecco Cruise: $138
- Action Film and Television Locations Half Day Tour in Toronto: $152
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21Ontario $834
Sample the Local Flavors in California
Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- An Epic Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- 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
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Palm Springs: $15
- Myka Estates Wine Tasting Reservation: $15
- Temecula Valley Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Guide: $20
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $25
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sacramento Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sonoma County Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $7.20
- Amazing Bar Hunt: Take On Toronto Bar Crawl: $12
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
- Between The Lines Classic Wine Tasting: $18
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $22
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $27
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $28
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery with 7 Kinds of Sake: $43
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $58
- Blindfold Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier Niagara: $64
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $72
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tasting Tour: $93
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and Ontario, we can see that Ontario 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario 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 Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, California or Ontario?
California has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ontario. When comparing the sizes of California and Ontario, 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.