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 $286
The average daily cost (per person) in Florida is $293, while the average daily cost in California is $286. 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
- 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.: $199
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Fort Lauderdale. Van 11 passengers: $299
- Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Hotels to Miami Airport or Port: $149
- Transfer Hotel in Miami to Miami Airport. Up to 11 passengers.: $190
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $80
- Tampa Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $16
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa Bay Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles in Luxury Car: $295
- 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to PALM SPRINGS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $286
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $285
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $283
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $283
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $275
- Private Airport Transfer in California: $269
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara Cruise Port: $268
- Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $266
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Business Car: $251
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:
- 1 Hour of Chocolate Pizza Making Class in Jacksonville: $20
- Chef Baba Italian Cooking Class in Lauderdale Lakes, FL: $45
- Historical Walking Food Tour in Calle 8: $50
- Daytona Beach Dinner Cruise on the Lady Dolphin: $50
- Daytona Beach: Luau with Polynesian Dinner and Live Show: $53
- Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach: $53
- Pirates Dinner Adventure Show in Orlando: $60
- Palafox Palete Food Tour: $60
- South Beach Miami Authentic Food Tour with Local Food Tastings: $61
- Street Food Tour in Miami with Local Guide: $66
- Little Havana Food Tour: Discover Iconic Cuban Cuisine in Miami: $69
- Key West Sweet Treats Food Tour: Sunshine & Sweet Times: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Monica Holiday Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cheer & More: $70
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Fun Wonton Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Sacramento: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
- San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
- San Francisco: Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85
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 VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR - Cold A/C 115' LARGEST IN LAUDERDALE!: $32
- 1 Hour ATV Tour and Jet Ski Adventure Miami: $220
- 1 Hour Everglades Airboat Tour Orlando Florida: $54
- 1 Hour Florida Everglades Wildlife Tour: $65
- 1 Hour Historical Tour of Saint Augustine Florida & FREE Parking: $48
- 1 Hour Historical Wildlife Tour of The Famous Chain of Lakes: $28
- 1 Hour Jetski Tour with 1 Hour Horseback Riding Single: $150
- 1 Hour Miami Jet Ski Adventure + Complimentary Boat Ride: $88
- 1 Hour Scenic Pontoon Day Cruise: $48
- 1 Hour WYNWOOD BUGGIES tour: $45
- 1 hour Miami Private Boat Ride with experienced captain: $99
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.: $207
- 1 Hour Shared Parasailing Adventure in Oceanside: $99
- 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
- 14 Group Los Angeles Universal Studios One-Day Tour: $298
- 17 Mile Drive eBike Tour in Monterey: $59
- 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
- 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula&Carmel Premium Small Group Tour: $118
- 1Hr GPS Self Guided Scooter Tour: Harbor/Gaslamp Quarter: $63
- 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
- 2 Hours Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Sunset Shared Boat Tour: $209
- 2 Hours Mountain View Treasure Hunt Adventure: $30
- 2 Hours Santa Monica Private Surfing Experience: $145
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:
- Astounding Bar Crawl: Orlando's Magical Nightlife: $15
- Astounding Bar Crawl in Tallahassee: $15
- An Epic Bar Crawl in Saint Petersburg: $15
- An Epic Bar Crawl in Miami Florida: $15
- A Spectacular Bar Crawl in Key West: $15
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $15
- Walking Ghost Tour Pub Crawl - Boos with Booze: $20
- Walking Pub Tour: $21
- Miami Bar Crawl: $29
- Miami Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Miami Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Tampa Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
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 Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
- Amazing Bar Crawl in Palm Springs: $15
- Myka Estates Wine Tasting Reservation: $15
- Temecula Valley Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Guide: $20
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $25
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sacramento 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
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
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.