Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena. 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.
Fort Lauderdale is a high energy, scenic, and bustling coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Pasadena is a charming, picturesque, and quaint city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.
You'll generally find more things to do in Fort Lauderdale than Pasadena. Fort Lauderdale is bigger than Pasadena, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Fort Lauderdale is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Pasadena is more popular for its museums, food, and shopping. Fort Lauderdale is more touristy than Pasadena and is known for its canals, beaches, walkable waterfront, and luxury resorts. Also, Fort Lauderdale is famous for The Local Beaches. Pasadena is well known for being the home of the Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Pasadena and Fort Lauderdale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Pasadena is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Pasadena. There's a good number of museums around town that include kids' museums, art museums, and local museums. Popular museums include the USC Pacific Asia Museum, the Norton Simon Museum, and the Pasadena Museum of History. Many people also enjoy touring the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Fort Lauderdale does not have museums and landmarks.
Pasadena is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Pasadena makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants feature southern California cuisine as well as international flavors. Dishes often use local ingredients that are fresh and seasonal. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.
Fort Lauderdale has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto. There are many waterfront restaurants or you could head to Las Olas Boulevard, which has many bistros, cafes, and restaurants.
It's hard to distinguish whether Fort Lauderdale or Pasadena has a better nightlife scene.
The people in Fort Lauderdale know how to have a good time. Trendy and upscale partying is the name of the game in this Florida city. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs. You'll find the most activity around the weekends, but there really is something going on any night of the week.
The nightlife in Pasadena has something for everybody. Much of the nightlife scene is concentrated around Old Pasadena. You'll find clubs, bars, and lounges that begin the evening with Happy Hours and then become more party-focused as the evening progresses.
Fort Lauderdale is an amazing coastal city to visit for its resorts. However, Pasadena is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Fort Lauderdale for its luxury resorts. Luxury beachfront resorts are plentiful in the area. Several of the most impressive include the Ritz-Carlton, W Fort Lauderdale, and the Dalmar. Most resorts have a beachfront pool, hot tubs, and depending on the resort, a kid's club.
Pasadena is not a resort destination.
Fort Lauderdale is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Fort Lauderdale. Although the snorkeling doesn't compare to what you'll find further south around the Florida Keys, there are some great places to pull your mask and fins out in the area. Popular snorkeling spots nearby include the Vista Park Reef, Pompano Beach, and Hollywood North Beach Park.
Pasadena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Fort Lauderdale is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Pasadena is not a beach destination.
Fort Lauderdale offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area. They are surprisingly walkable and, while there can be crowds, there's still a laid-back and relaxing atmosphere.
Pasadena is not a beach destination.
Pasadena is a great destination for shopping. Also, Fort Lauderdale is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Pasadena is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Old Pasadena is where you'll find some of the best shopping. It's filled with a charming atmosphere and interesting boutiques.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Fort Lauderdale. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.
Fort Lauderdale is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Fort Lauderdale is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities, the kids will love it here. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome. On sunny days there are many outdoor recreation areas and when the weather isn't cooperating, there are hands-on museums.
Pasadena is a family-friendly coastal city. There are a number of kid-friendly museums around town including Kidspace Children's Museum. There are also nature centers, playgrounds, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
Fort Lauderdale is an amazing coastal city to visit for couples. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Fort Lauderdale is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale. A sunset walk on the beach and a stay at a romantic resort will make for an unforgettable trip.
Pasadena is a nice destination for couples. It's a charming town with a bit of a European vibe and plenty of outdoor activities. Fine dining and interesting shopping make this a nice weekend destination.
Pasadena is a good destination for its public transit. However, Fort Lauderdale is a coastal city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in Pasadena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses and light rail offer local transit and connect the city to nearby Los Angeles.
Public transit is mostly limited in Fort Lauderdale. Transportation options include a water taxi and the Sun Trolley Hop-on Bus.
Fort Lauderdale is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Pasadena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.
Fort Lauderdale is a very walkable destination. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.
Pasadena is somewhat walkable. Most people head to Old Pasadena, which is the most concentrated and walkable part of the city.
For even more information, also check out Is Fort Lauderdale Worth Visiting? and Is Pasadena Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than in Pasadena. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Fort Lauderdale, and 1-3 days is enough time in Pasadena.
Families should spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than Pasadena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Fort Lauderdale, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than Pasadena. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Fort Lauderdale that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pasadena than Fort Lauderdale if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Pasadena.
The beautiful coastal city of Fort Lauderdale offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
The charming destination of Pasadena offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.
Fort Lauderdale is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
The city of Pasadena offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Fort Lauderdale is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Fort Lauderdale, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Pasadena is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Fort Lauderdale is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. This coastal city offers something for everyone.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Pasadena. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $62. 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 Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Pasadena? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
Prices for flights to both Pasadena and Fort Lauderdale 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena, we can see that Fort Lauderdale is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Fort Lauderdale would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort Lauderdale than you might in Pasadena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Pasadena Expensive?.
Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena, 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.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Pasadena. The summer months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.
In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Pasadena. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Pasadena for the shopping scene.
Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Pasadena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Pasadena fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Pasadena and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Pasadena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Pasadena averages at about 56°F (13°C).
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Pasadena. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Pasadena and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Fort Lauderdale | Pasadena | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.6 inches (42 mm) |
Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |