Which place is cheaper, Ontario or Michigan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Michigan or Ontario?
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 Michigan and Ontario. 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: Michigan or Ontario?
Michigan
Surrounded by four of the five great lakes, the U.S. state of Michigan consists of two peninsulas, the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula. The Lower Peninsula is the portion shaped like a mitten and is a center of manufacturing and high-tech industry. It is also home to the country's three major automobile companies-General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-whose headquarters are in the Detroit metropolitan area. The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, a five-mile channel that joins Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. In contrast, the Upper Peninsula is sparsely populated and is economically important for its status as a tourist destination and its abundance of natural resources.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMichigan $120Ontario $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Michigan is $120, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $211. 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 Michigan and Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMichigan $63Ontario $112
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMichigan $126Ontario $224
Compare Hotels in Michigan and Ontario
Looking for a hotel in Michigan or Ontario? 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.Michigan $30Ontario $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way: from/to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) - Private Transfer: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $40
- Private Airport Transfer Pearson Airport to or from Toronto: $41
- Private Departure Transfer-Toronto to Pearson Airport(YYZ) or YTZ: $41
- Private Transfer Toronto Pearson Airport To Toronto Hotels: $42
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52
- Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Toronto hotel/address -Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer: Toronto Pearson Airport or Mississauga City Black Car Service: $64
- Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $66
- Private Arrival Transfer - YYZ Airport to Toronto Downton Hotel & Accommodations: $73
- Niagara Falls Guided 9 Hour Day Trip with Round-trip Transfer: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Michigan or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario and Michigan 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 dayMichigan $36Ontario $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $71
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- European Evening Walking Food Tour in London, Ontario: $93
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour With Boat Cruise & Dinner (optional): $155
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Michigan $18Ontario $22
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Downtown Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.46
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Bracebridge & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Huntsville & Toronto: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Collingwood and Toronto: $6.31
- Ottawa Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.68
- Explore Canada's Metropolis with Walking Tours Through Toronto: $6.68
- A Self Guided Audio Tour of Ottawa's Hidden History: $6.99
- Ottawa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Ottawa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Ottawa by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMichigan $20Ontario $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Michigan and Ontario, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is Michigan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Michigan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Michigan 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in Michigan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Michigan Expensive? and Is Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Michigan or Ontario?
Ontario has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Michigan. When comparing the sizes of Michigan and Ontario, 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.