Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Newton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Newton or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Newton and Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Newton or Santa Barbara?
Newton
Newton, a large suburb of Boston, consists of 13 villages or neighborhoods: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Lower Falls, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Nonantum, Oak Hill, Thompsonville, Upper Falls, Waban, and West Newton. It's a good sized city with a population of over 80,000. Each village has its own historical and architectural character. Many of the villages were founded around railroad stations when the Boston & Worcester line opened in 1833 along the north side of the city. Another railroad line started along the south side of town in 1851. It's now the "D" line of the MBTA's Green Line. Walking tours of most villages are available and recommended for history buffs.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNewton $147Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Newton is $147, 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 Newton and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNewton $82Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNewton $164Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Newton and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Newton 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: Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Newton $80Santa Barbara $42
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 Newton or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Newton 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 dayNewton $25Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Newton -Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 5 STARS: "Where The Locals Go!" Nature-History Tour: $95
- Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
- City & Sand Electric Bike Tour: $105
- Coastline Kayak Tour near Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide: $122
- Downtown SB Walking Food & Drink Tour: $175
- Electric Bike Adventure in Santa Barbara Wine Country: $83
- Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley: $139
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- Montecito Coastline Electric Bike Guided Tour: $125
- Private Helicopter Tour in Santa Barbara: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNewton -Santa 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 Newton and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Newton Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Newton or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Newton. When comparing the sizes of Newton 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 Newton or Santa Barbara?
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.
Should I visit Newton or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
Both Santa Barbara and Newton during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Newton is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Newton averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).
Newton usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Newton gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNewton 73°F (23°C)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Newton or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Newton and Santa Barbara. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the autumn, Newton is cooler than Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Newton in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In October, Newton usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Newton gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNewton 54°F (12°C)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Newton or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Newton as well as Santa Barbara. Additionally, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Newton in the winter. In January, Newton is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Newton average around 29°F (-2°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Newton usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Santa Barbara. Newton gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNewton 29°F (-2°C)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Newton or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
Both Santa Barbara and Newton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Newton is much colder than Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Newton averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In April, Newton usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Newton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNewton 48°F (9°C)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Newton
| Newton | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 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.