Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Santa Barbara?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Hot Springs and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Santa Barbara? 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Santa Barbara $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $142
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $52Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $30
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Santa Barbara Ghost History and Mystery Walking Tour "Invisible Becomes Visible": $55
- Santa Barbara Ghost Tour "The Veil is Lifted" History & Mystery Walk: $55
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- The Haunt: Solvang Ghost Hunting Tour: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour: $60
- Catamaran Coastal Cruise: $62
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- Guided Sea Lion Kayaking Tour: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Santa Barbara, we can see that Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Santa Barbara, 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 Hot Springs or Santa Barbara?
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.
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
Both Santa Barbara and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In July, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).
In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
Both Santa Barbara and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Santa Barbara. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In January, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Santa Barbara. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.