Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Fairfield?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fairfield and Santa Cruz can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Fairfield or Santa Cruz?
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
Santa Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFairfield $131Santa Cruz $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Fairfield is $131, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $126. 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 Fairfield and Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFairfield $97Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFairfield $194Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Fairfield and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Fairfield or Santa Cruz? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Fairfield Hotel Prices and Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fairfield -Santa Cruz $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Fairfield or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz and Fairfield 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 dayFairfield $30Santa Cruz $41
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fairfield $13Santa Cruz $18
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $190
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided E-bike Tour for Small Groups: $120
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided E-bike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Guided E-Bike Ride & Most Fun Ebike Tour: $120
- Santa Cruz Must Sees: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $3.99
- Santa Cruz:City Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFairfield -Santa Cruz $8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
- Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Sidecar Wine Tour with Guide and Wine Tasting: $199
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
- Private Custom Wine Tour with Hotel Pickup: $750
When comparing the travel costs between Fairfield and Santa Cruz, we can see that Fairfield is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fairfield Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fairfield or Santa Cruz?
Fairfield has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Fairfield and Santa Cruz, 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.
When is the best time to visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz and Fairfield during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Fairfield is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
Fairfield usually gets less rain in July than Santa Cruz. Fairfield gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFairfield 73°F (23°C)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fairfield and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Fairfield is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fairfield in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).
In October, Fairfield usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Fairfield gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFairfield 62°F (17°C)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Fairfield as well as Santa Cruz. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Fairfield is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Fairfield average around 46°F (8°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).
Fairfield usually gets more rain in January than Santa Cruz. Fairfield gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFairfield 46°F (8°C)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Fairfield or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz and Fairfield are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
Fairfield is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Fairfield averages around 56°F (13°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Fairfield usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Fairfield gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFairfield 56°F (13°C)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Fairfield
| Fairfield | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
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.