Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Nassau?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nassau or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nassau or Santa Barbara, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Nassau or Santa Barbara?
Nassau
There are few vacation destinations more famous than the Bahamian city of Nassau. This capital city is full of laid back locals, relaxed tourists and the iconic pastel pink government houses.
As the largest city in the Bahamas, Nassau can hold plenty of people. Not only are there hundreds of tourists on any given day, the city is also home to 260,000 people – that is 80 percent of the Bahamas' total population.
Founded around 1650, Nassau's location made it a great spot on the trade route. So great, in fact, that it also became a popular destination for pirates – including the infamous Blackbeard.
Pack light because it's going to be pretty steamy in Nassau. The climate is essentially identical to southern Florida. It is warm and humid all year with the occasional cold snap in the winter.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNassau $189Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Nassau is $189, 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 Nassau and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNassau $109Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNassau $218Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Nassau and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Nassau 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: Nassau Hotel Prices and Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nassau $32Santa Barbara $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Nassau are as follows:
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Water Taxi$8.02
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Taxi to Cable Beach$25
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Taxi from Airport$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nassau
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nassau:
- Private One-Way Transfer from Lynden Airport to Bahamas: $30
- Shared Shuttle Transfer to NAS Airport - Departure: $34
- Shared Shuttle Transfer from NAS Airport - Arrival: $34
- Nassau Cruise Port to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Nassau cruise port to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Private Transfer in Nassau: $45
- Nassau Airport Round-trip Shared Transfers: $45
- Nassau hotel or address to Nassau Airport (NAS) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Nassau Airport (NAS) to Nassau hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Chippies Airport/Hotel Transfers Transportation: $55
- Private Airport Arrival Transfer Nassau, Bahamar & Paradise Isld: $68
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 Nassau or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Nassau 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 dayNassau $53Santa Barbara $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nassau
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nassau.
- Nassau Food Tour and Beach Break: $65
- Conch Salad Cooking Lesson and Tasting in Nassau: $80
- Sail Catamaran Sunset Dinner Cruise: $116
- All Inclusive Sunset Dinner Cruise in Nassau Bahamas: $125
- Dinner and Dancing: $130
- Authentic Bahamian Cooking Class: $135
- Bahamian Cooking Class Lunch Experience by Tru Bahamian Food Tour: $140
- Island Food Tour: $140
- Gourmet dinner & sunset cruise on luxury catamaran: $375
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nassau $37Santa Barbara $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Nassau are as follows:
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Jet Ski$50
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4 Hr Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Nassau
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nassau are as follows:
- All New Weekend Tour with Seafood Snack Portuguese & Spanish : $7.00
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Nassau Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Jewel of the Bahamas: $15
- Heritage Museum of The Bahamas Nassau Guided Tour: $20
- Jekyll Island Dolphin Tours: $28
- Roundtrip Shuttle from Cruise Terminal at Prince George Wharf: $29
- Nassau Sightseeing Bus Tour: $35
- Big Bus Private Tour (minimum of 15): $43
- Bahamas Ghost Walking Tour: $44
- Island Tour: $44
- Dis We Culture Tour (At least 6 passengers): $50
- Banana Boat Adventure: $50
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 dayNassau $19Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Nassau
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Nassau are as follows:
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Cocktail$6.52
Sample the Local Flavors in Nassau
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nassau:
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $135
- Rum Runners Pub Crawl: $140
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nassau and Santa Barbara, we can see that Nassau is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nassau is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Barbara is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Nassau would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nassau than you might in Santa Barbara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nassau Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Nassau or Santa Barbara?
Nassau has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Nassau 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 Nassau or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Nassau experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Nassau or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
Both Santa Barbara and Nassau are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nassau throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Nassau is generally a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).
It's quite rainy in Nassau. In July, Nassau usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Nassau gets 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNassau 28°C (82°F)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
Both Santa Barbara and Nassau during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nassau because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Nassau is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nassau averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nassau. Nassau usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Nassau gets 184 mm (7.2 in) 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 OctoberNassau 26°C (79°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nassau and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nassau year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the winter, Nassau is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nassau in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In January, Nassau usually receives less rain than Santa Barbara. Nassau gets 51 mm (2 in) 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 JanuaryNassau 21°C (70°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Nassau or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Nassau as well as Santa Barbara. Nassau attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Nassau is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Nassau average around 23°C (74°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Nassau usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Nassau gets 53 mm (2.1 in) 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 AprilNassau 23°C (74°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Nassau
| Nassau | Santa Barbara | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 23°C (74°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (80°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 211 mm (8.3 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 184 mm (7.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (71°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 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.