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.
Jump to 
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.
-
California Prices
USA PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $0.00Ontario $14,070
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $14,070. 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
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $523Ontario $7,648
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $1,046Ontario $
Warning: A non-numeric value encountered in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php on line 2880
14
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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.California -Ontario $2,187
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation: $300
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $285
- Departure Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX by Luxury Car: $281
- Los Angeles port to Long Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $280
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Los Angeles port Round-Trip Transfer: $278
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Cruise Port: $278
- Private Transfer - Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Santa Barbara Port: $278
- Private Transfer - Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport(LAX): $278
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: $111
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Toronto APT-HTL (YYZ): $125
- Transfer to or from Waterloo region- Toronto Airport: $293
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
- Toronto Airport YYZ Roundtrip Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $58
- Toronto Airport YYZ Private Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $29
- Toronto Airport Transfer: $103
- Toronto Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $191
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Toronto Airport (YYZ): $95
- Private Transfer:Toronto Pearson Airport or Burlington City Black Car Service: $92
- Private Transfer:Toronto Airport or Collingwood - Blue Mountain Resort One way: $200
- Private Transfer:- Toronto Pearson Airport to Waterloo Black Car Service: $107
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
-
Food Meals for one dayCalifornia -Ontario $4,512
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 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: $55
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $61
- Kingston: Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings & Secret Dish: $64
- Toronto Express Canadian Food Tour: 90 Min with Our Founder: $64
- Toronto Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, Pastries, & More: $65
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $65
- Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $72
- Taste Canada: Non-Touristy St Lawrence Market Food Tour: $73
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $73
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $76
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $77
- Kensington Market International Food Tour: $91
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California -Ontario $1,521
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
- 1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour: $99
- 17 Mile Drive eBike Tour in Monterey: $59
- 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour from Monterey & Carmel: $15
- 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula&Carmel Premium Small Group Tour: $118
- 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
- 2 Hours Santa Monica Private Surfing Experience: $145
- 2 hour Catamaran Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $130
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: $92
- 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration: $29
- 1-hour Walking Tour of Kingston with a local historian: $24
- 20 km Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $153
- 3 Hour Toronto Walking Tour: $44
- 3 Hour VIP Electric Canoe Photography Tour (private, price is for 2 people): $276
- 60 Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 60-Minute Toronto Luxury Yacht Sightseeing Prosecco Cruise!: $107
- Adventures in Abstract Paint Pouring: $29
- Algonquin Provincial Park Day Tour from Toronto: $159
- All Inclusive Niagara Falls Canada Tour with Buffet Lunch: $228
- Aqua Taxi Hop-on and Hop-Off Tour: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia -Ontario $863
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 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: $8.30
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
- Between The Lines Classic Wine Tasting: $18
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $23
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $59
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $74
- Toronto Craft Brewery Tour: $92
- Relaxing Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $95
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.