Which place is cheaper, Anchorage or Honolulu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Honolulu and Anchorage 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.
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Honolulu is $284, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $191. 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 Honolulu and Anchorage in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Honolulu or Anchorage? 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 typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Honolulu 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Honolulu and Anchorage, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Anchorage much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Anchorage would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Anchorage 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu than you might in Anchorage.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Honolulu Expensive? and Is Anchorage Expensive?.
Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Honolulu and Anchorage, 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 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.
Both Anchorage and Honolulu during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.
Honolulu is much warmer than Anchorage in the summer. The daily temperature in Honolulu averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Anchorage, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Honolulu. In the summer, Honolulu often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Honolulu gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.
Honolulu usually gets less rain in July than Anchorage. Honolulu gets 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Honolulu and Anchorage. Furthermore, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. In the autumn, Honolulu is much warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Honolulu in October average around 80°F (26°C), and Anchorage averages at about 35°F (2°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. Honolulu usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Honolulu gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Honolulu usually receives around the same amount of rain as Anchorage. Honolulu gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Honolulu as well as Anchorage. Additionally, many visitors come to Anchorage in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Anchorage can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Honolulu is generally much warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Honolulu average around 73°F (23°C), and Anchorage fluctuates around 15°F (-9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In the winter, Honolulu often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Honolulu gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.
Honolulu usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Honolulu gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Anchorage and Honolulu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the natural beauty during these months.
Anchorage can be very cold during spring. Honolulu is much warmer than Anchorage in the spring. The daily temperature in Honolulu averages around 76°F (24°C) in April, and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
It's quite sunny in Anchorage. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. Honolulu usually receives more sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Honolulu gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Honolulu usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Honolulu gets 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Honolulu | Anchorage | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
Mar | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Apr | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
May | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) | 49°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Oct | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
Nov | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Dec | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |