Which place is cheaper, Quebec 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 Quebec?
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 Quebec. 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 Quebec?
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.
Quebec
The culture and history of Europe is alive and well in North America. The largest province in Canada, Quebec, was a French colony from the time of Jacques Cartier in 1534 until 1760. Today, it is the only province in Canada where French is the official language. With the second largest population in the country, approximately 6.4 million, or 80% of the people speak French as their native language.
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 G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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California Prices
USA PricesQuebec Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $286Quebec $188
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in Quebec is $188. 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 Quebec in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $116Quebec $108
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $232Quebec $216
Compare Hotels in California and Quebec
Looking for a hotel in California or Quebec? 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 $42Quebec $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers between Temecula area and San Diego Airport: $300
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation: $300
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to INDIAN WELLS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $296
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $291
- 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $288
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $280
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Los Angeles port to Long Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $275
- LAX Airport Transfer to Disneyland or nearby Hotels: $275
- Private Transfer - Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport(LAX): $273
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec
Also for Quebec, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $108
- Quebec city private transfer: $103
- Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $116
- Québec Jean Lesage International Airport transfer to Club Med: $289
- Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $205
- Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Arrival Private Transfer: $103
- Private Transfer from Québec City to Jean Lesage Airport (YQB): $93
- Private Transfer from Montreal city to Montreal Cruise Port: $69
- Private Transfer from Montreal Port to Montreal Airport (YUL): $69
- Private Transfer from Montreal Cruise Port to Montreal City: $69
- Private Transfer from Montreal City to Montreal (YUL) Airport: $107
- Private Transfer from Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal / Bromont: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into California or Quebec?
Prices for flights to both Quebec 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 $79Quebec $59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $60
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Chocolate Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in the Bay Area: $75
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $79
- San Diego Pizza & Gelato Walking Tour in Little Italy Small Group: $80
- San Francisco: The Mission District Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes: $85
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- Los Angeles Taco Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec
For Quebec, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Happy Hour Brew Tour in Montreal with Dinner: $86
- Montreal Mile End Food Tour: Bagels, Smoked Meat & Poutine: $86
- Jean Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Food Tastings: $87
- Montreal Elite Mile End Food Tour: $97
- Montreal Mile End Food Tour with Bagel, Poutine & 7 Tastings: $99
- Montreal Mile End Guided Food Tour by Local Montreal Tours: $99
- Quebec : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $108
- Old Montreal Guided Food Tour with 8+ Local Delicacies Tastings: $115
- Montreal Home Dining & Dim Sum Cooking Class: $115
- Private Authentic Cooking Class in Montreal with Sokun: $115
- Old Quebec City Food Tour with 10+ Local Tastings: $122
- Québec City: 3 or 5-Course Dinner Cruise with DJ & Dancing: $123
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69Quebec $23
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "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
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 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: $13
- 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula&Carmel Premium Small Group Tour: $118
- 1HR San Francisco Chinatown and Downtown GoCar Tour: $99
- 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
- 2 hour Catamaran Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $130
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
Tours and Activities in Quebec
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Quebec.
- 1H-Guided Montreal Jet Ski Sunset Adventure: $149
- 2-hour private tour of Montmorency Falls with transportation by 7-seater SUV: $211
- 3 Day and 2 Night Tour: Toronto, 1000 Islands, and Niagara Falls: $300
- 4-hour private tour of Ile d'Orleans. Discover local flavors. Live guide: $423
- 5 Course Gourmet and Historical Tour of Old Quebec: $211
- A Taste of History Walking Tour: $86
- APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $9.34
- AURA experience at Notre-Dame Basilica and guided cruise: $79
- Best of Montreal Walking Tour Experience: $57
- Best of Quebec City: Panoramic Bus Tour with Local Guide: $40
- Best of Quebec City: Panoramic Bus Tour with Local Guide: $41
- Beyond the Walls E-Bike Tour: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21Quebec $17
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
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $30
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- Wine Tasting and Craft Experience in Laguna Beach: $55
- DIY Wine Tour Temecula (Private): $59
- Wine Tasting Around the World: $60
- Orange County Evening Harbor Wine Cruise Scenic Wine Tasting: $63
Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec:
- Guided visits and tasting at a Quebec distillery: $16
- Montreal Distillery Tour and Spirit Tasting at Cirka: $18
- Quebec City: Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $20
- Quebec City: Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $93
- Quebec Cheese and Wine Tasting: $94
- Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $95
- Quebec City: Montmorency Falls and Microbrewery eBike Tour: $145
- Experience the Flavors of Montérégie on a Guided Wine Tour: $283
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and Quebec, we can see that California is more expensive. And not only is Quebec much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quebec would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec 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 California would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in California than you might in Quebec.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is Quebec Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, California or Quebec?
California has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Quebec. When comparing the sizes of California and Quebec, 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.