Which place is cheaper, California or Florida?
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 Florida or California?
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 Florida and California. 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: Florida or California?
Florida
The state of Florida, known for sunshine, warm weather, beaches, and Disney World, has much to offer. Orlando and its world-famous parks such as Disney, Epcot, Universal Studios, MGM, Sea World, and more draw massive amounts of visitors every year, and for a good reason. Florida is more than just Disney, however, the state has many other attractions and cities worth visiting.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Florida Prices
USA PricesCalifornia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorida $293California $285
The average daily cost (per person) in Florida is $293, while the average daily cost in California is $285. 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 Florida and California in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorida $135California $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorida $270California $232
Compare Hotels in Florida and California
Looking for a hotel in Florida or California? 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.Florida $46California $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florida
Also for Florida, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer to Miami International Airport and Port of Miami: $130
- Universal Orlando Resorts to Orlando Airport MCO Private Transfer: $125
- Transfers in Miami: $105
- Transfer: Lake Buena Vista Area Hotels to Orlando Airport (MCO): $23
- Transfer from Port Miami to Miami Airport. Up to 11 passengers.: $160
- Transfer from Miami International Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port: $36
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel or Port Miami. Up to 11 pax.: $160
- Transfer Hotel in Miami to Miami Airport. Up to 11 passengers.: $160
- Transfer From Fort Lauderdale Hotels to Miami Airport or Port: $149
- Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $83
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $165
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: $300
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $291
- 【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: $283
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $279
- Private Transfer - Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Santa Barbara Port: $276
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $276
- LAX Airport Transfer to Disneyland or nearby Hotels: $275
- Convenient Long Beach Cruise Terminal Transfers to/from LAX: $275
Is it cheaper to fly into Florida or California?
Prices for flights to both California and Florida 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 dayFlorida $100California $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Florida
For Florida, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Outta Control Magic Dinner Show in Orlando: $39
- Daytona Beach: Luau with Polynesian Dinner and Live Show: $53
- Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach: $53
- Palafox Palete Food Tour: $60
- Handcrafted Donuts & Street Art: Wynwood's Most Unique Food Tour: $65
- Pirates Dinner Adventure Show in Orlando: $67
- Little Havana Food Tour: Discover Iconic Cuban Cuisine in Miami: $69
- St. Johns River Lunch and Dinner Cruises in Sanford, Florida: $71
- Orlando Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Experience: $75
- Murder Mystery Dinner Cruise: $75
- A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $75
- Fort Launderdale: Sushi Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Los Angeles: $60
- Fun Dumpling Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $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
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Alamedas First Walking Food Tour: $79
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour for Foodies: $79
- Speakeasy Murder Mystery Dinner at Buena Park: $87
- Comedian Led Hidden Gems Food Tour: $87
- Los Angeles Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $88
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florida $62California $69
Tours and Activities in Florida
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Florida.
- !! Flippers Fun Boat !! Dolphin Adventure Clearwater Beach!: $32
- 1 Hour ATV Tour & Horseback Riding Combo Experience: $240
- 1 Hour ATV Tour and Jet Ski Adventure Miami: $220
- 1 Hour Florida Everglades Wildlife Tour: $65
- 1 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of The Famous Chain of Lakes: $28
- 1 Hour Jetski Adventure: $30
- 1 Hour Scenic Pontoon Day Cruise: $48
- 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour: $74
- 1 Hour-Relaxing Private Boat Tour - Fort Lauderdale (Up to 6 Pax): $150
- 1,5h Tiki Tour with Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks, Clearwater Beach: $45
- 1-Hour 4-Seater UTV Tours: $300
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise (arrive 30 minutes early): $35
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
- "Sand Harbor Experience" Access & Beach Day at Tahoe’s #1 Beach: $175
- 1 Hour Shared Parasailing Adventure in Oceanside: $99
- 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: $15
- 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 Hours Santa Monica Private Surfing Experience: $145
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorida $31California $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Florida
Also in Florida, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A Spectacular Bar Crawl in Key West: $15
- An Epic Bar Crawl in Miami Florida: $15
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $15
- A Remarkable Bar Crawl in Naples: $15
- An Epic Bar Crawl in Winter Park: $15
- Astounding Bar Crawl in Tallahassee: $15
- Walking Ghost Tour Pub Crawl - Boos with Booze: $20
- Walking Pub Tour: $21
- Mayhem in the Mists A Murder Mystery Pub Tour: $24
- Miami Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $24
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $25
- The Original Haunted Pub Tour: $27
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
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
- Wine Tasting and Craft Experience in Laguna Beach: $55
When comparing the travel costs between Florida and California, we can see that Florida 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 Florida Expensive? and Is California Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Florida or California?
California has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Florida. When comparing the sizes of Florida and California, 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.