A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pasadena vs. Seattle for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pasadena or Seattle?

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 Pasadena and Seattle. 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: Pasadena or Seattle?

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

Seattle

Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Pasadena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pasadena is $62, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Pasadena and Seattle in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pasadena $25
    Seattle $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pasadena $50
    Seattle $240
Compare Hotels in Pasadena and Seattle

Looking for a hotel in Pasadena or Seattle? 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.

Hotels in Pasadena


Hotels in Seattle


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: Pasadena Hotel Prices and Seattle Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pasadena $21
    Seattle $30

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seattle

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:


  • Lightrail from Airport (for 2)
    $5.50
  • Roundtrip Ferry to Bainbridge Island (for 2)
    $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:

  • One-Way Transfer: Cruise Piers to Airport : $28
  • One-Way Transfer: SeaTac Hotels to Seattle Cruise Terminals : $33
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer(Seattle Airport To/From Seattle): $58
  • Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan : $63
  • Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Seattle - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Airport (SEA) - Departure Transfer: $75
  • Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
  • Smith Cove Terminal to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
  • Private Transfer from Seattle hotels to Smith Cove Terminal : $75
  • Seattle Airport (SEA) to Smith Cove Terminal - Arrival Transfer: $75
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Seattle Airport: $76
  • Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive SUV: $81

Is it cheaper to fly into Pasadena or Seattle?

Prices for flights to both Seattle and Pasadena 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pasadena $19
    Seattle $51
Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Typical Food Prices in Seattle

Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:


  • Expresso & cookie at Pier 70
    $7.00
  • Cashews at Pike Place Market
    $6.00
  • 6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market
    $3.25
  • Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)
    $21
  • Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)
    $32
  • Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)
    $37

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.

  • Seattle : Fun Cooking Classes With Chef Seamus: $55
  • Seattle Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $60
  • Pike Place Market: Walking Food Tour: $66
  • Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours: $67
  • Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour: $67
  • International District Food Tour: $69
  • Ballard Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Plant Based Food Tour in Pike Place Market: $79
  • Secret Food Tours: Seattle Pike Place Market: $86
  • Pike Place Market Food Tour: $99
  • Small Group Cooking Class: $138
  • Market to Table Tour and Cooking Class at Pike Place Market: $159

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pasadena -
    Seattle $16

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350

Tours and Activities in Seattle

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:

  • Experience Mining For Genuine Montana Sapphires in Seattle: $5.00
  • Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket: $16
  • Seattle Mariners Baseball Game Ticket at T Mobile Park: $16
  • National Nordic Museum Entry Ticket: $20
  • Seattle Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Sky View Observatory Admission Tickets: $23
  • MoPOP Entry Ticket: $25
  • Terrors and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pasadena -
    Seattle $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:

  • Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Seattle Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
  • Woodinville's Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
  • Woodinville Wine Country: Downtown Wine Tasting Pass: $65
  • Woodinville Wine Country: Artisan Hill Wine Tasting Pass: $65
  • Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour : $120
  • Day Private Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle: $181
  • From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting: $262


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pasadena and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pasadena Expensive? and Is Seattle Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Seattle, 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 Pasadena or Seattle?

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 Pasadena or Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Pasadena is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In July, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Seattle. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C) 
    Seattle 67°F (19°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Pasadena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Seattle because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Pasadena is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pasadena in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C) 
    Seattle 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Seattle. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In January, Pasadena is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 56°F (13°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Seattle. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C) 
    Seattle 42°F (5°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Seattle. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Pasadena is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in April than Seattle. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C) 
    Seattle 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Seattle and Pasadena

Pasadena Seattle
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 42°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Feb 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 45°F (7°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Mar 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.9 inches (47 mm)
Jun 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Aug 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 67°F (19°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm) 47°F (8°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 42°F (6°C) 6 inches (152 mm)