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 $13,822
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $13,822. 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 $7,513
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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 $2,148
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Los Angeles Private Transfers to LAX: $300
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation: $300
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to INDIAN WELLS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $298
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to PALM SPRINGS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $294
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- Departure Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX by Luxury Car: $292
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $290
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $282
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $275
- Private Transfer - Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Santa Barbara Port: $275
- Private Transfer - Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport(LAX): $275
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Toronto to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Toronto Pearson Airport departure transfer (Any Hotel or Address to Airport): $211
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $80
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Hamilton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $270
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Hamilton - Arrival Private Transfer|: $135
- Toronto Airport YYZ Roundtrip Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $58
- Toronto Airport YYZ Private Transfer to Toronto (Special Offer): $29
- Toronto Airport Transfer: $102
- Toronto Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $191
- Sedan Departure Transfer from Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ: $62
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Toronto Airport (YYZ): $95
- Private YYZ Arrival Transfer-Pearson Airport to Toronto/Misisauga: $44
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 $4,432
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
- 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
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $71
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Los Angeles: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- San Diego Pizza & Gelato Walking Tour in Little Italy Small Group: $80
- 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:
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $64
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Guided Food Tour with Ice Wine & Poutine: $65
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Best Private St Lawrence Market Food Tour: $70
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Night Tour, Boat, Journey, Dinner & Tower: $72
- 2 Hour Express Toronto Food Tour: Flavors of Kensington Market: $75
- Toronto: Authentic Food Tour with Local & International Flavors: $75
- Oh Canada Eh!? Ottawa Dinner Musical with Live Music and Comedy: $77
- Great Canadian Food Tour- St. Lawrence Market + The Distillery: $78
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $80
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $89
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69Ontario $1,494
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.: $230
- 1 Hour Shared Parasailing Adventure in Oceanside: $99
- 1-Hour Driving Tour from Hollywood to Beverly Hills in a Ferrari: $289
- 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: $112
- 1HR San Francisco Chinatown and Downtown GoCar Tour: $99
- 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Plus Night Tour: $86
- 2 Hour Private Tour - Hollywood and Beverly Hills Celebrity Homes: $195
- 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
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: $91
- 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration: $29
- 1-hour Walking Tour of Kingston with a local historian: $24
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $58
- 20 km Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $152
- 3 Hour VIP Electric Canoe Photography Tour (private, price is for 2 people): $274
- 3hr Discover Sailing Adventure: $196
- 50 Minute Harbour Tour with Skyline Views: $26
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- Adventures in Abstract Paint Pouring: $29
- Algonquin Provincial Park Day Tour from Toronto: $157
- All Inclusive Niagara Falls Canada Tour with Buffet Lunch: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21Ontario $848
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 Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sonoma County Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $30
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- Napa Valley Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
- Paso Robles Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
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: $7.39
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Take On Toronto: $15
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $21
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Between the Lines Black Glass Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $23
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $28
- Guided Tasting Activity at Sake Brewery: $29
- Private Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $58
- Blindfold Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier Niagara: $65
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Transportation: $73
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tasting Tour: $94
- Relaxing Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $94
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.