Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Los Angeles can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Phoenix travel costs.
Los Angeles is a glamourous, diverse, and multicultural city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums. See Los Angeles travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Los Angeles than Phoenix. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Los Angeles is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for is many A-list celebrities, its world-famous clubs and venues, its glamourous beaches, and being the location of the iconic Hollywood. It is also well known for Hollywood. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Los Angeles and Phoenix. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.
With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Los Angeles has many famous sights for visitors. The city has an eclectic list of monuments and museums. Notable landmarks include the famous Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, the Getty Center, and the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.
Los Angeles is a great city for its shows and theatre. However, Phoenix is not a theatre destination.
Los Angeles attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. While most people think of Hollywood when they think of LA, the city also has a thriving stage presence. Musicals and plays are popular throughout the city.
Phoenix is not a theatre destination.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Many restaurants in Los Angeles have been singled out for their culinary prowess. As a huge and diverse city, there is no shortage of amazing food options around town. There are a wide range of cuisines represented and many different neighborhoods that specialize in specific types of food. Popular dishes around town include Cobb Salads, Mexican Tacos, and the French Dip Sandwich.
Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.
The nightlife in Los Angeles is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city's nightlife scene is as diverse as the city itself. There are glamorous clubs where you might spot a celebrity, as well as local dives with a more down-to-earth vibe. Some of the most famous clubs in the city include Academy, Avalon, and Boardner's.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.
Los Angeles has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Music, movies, and show business - it's all part of what Los Angeles is known for. Several famous music venues include The Greek Theatre, Whiskey a Go Go, and The Roxy Theatre.
Phoenix is not a live music destination.
Los Angeles is a great city for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.
In Los Angeles, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city is home to a number of high end resorts including The Beverly Hill Hotel, The Langham Huntington Pasadena, and The Ritz-Carlton.
Phoenix is not a resort destination.
Los Angeles is a city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Los Angeles. The coastal setting means that there are a number of places where you can put on a mask and hop in the water. Popular snorkeling or diving spots near the city include Santa Catalina Island, Diver's Cove, and Crystal Cove State Park. Many visitors find the water to be a bit chili, but the wildlife is unique and beautiful.
Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.
Los Angeles is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Ranging from beaches with stunning natural beauty to those with glamourous and fun atmospheres, this city has a number of beaches to choose from. There are many fun and high-energy urban beach settings, and there are also beaches that are lined with parks and offer a more natural environment. Some of the most popular are Santa Monica, Malibu, Huntington Beach, and Redondo Beach.
Phoenix is not a beach destination.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.
Around Los Angeles visitors will find world-class hiking trails. In and around the city you'll find world class urban hiking with views of the mountains and the ocean. Some of the most well-known hikes include the Charlie Turner Trail to Mount Hollywood, Runyon Canyon, and the Sara Wan Trailhead at Corral Canyon.
Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.
Many people travel to Los Angeles specifically to go shopping. Although it's most famous for the high end shopping at Rodeo Drive, there are actually many different shopping venues throughout the city. Other famous shopping areas include Robertson Blvd and the Grove.
Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.
Los Angeles is an extremely popular city to visit for families. With its many amusement parks, including nearby Disneyland, and its countless family-friendly parks and playgrounds, there is no shortage of things to do with kids around the city. Favorite activities include the amusement parks, exploring Venice Beach, a trip to the California Science Center, and taking a Warner Brothers Studio Tour.
Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.
Los Angeles is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. It is a large, sprawling city with tucked away romantic scenes that are perfect for a couple's getaway or a dream honeymoon. There are also trendy nightclubs, world-class restaurants, and high-energy beaches that make for iconic date activities.
Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.
Los Angeles is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Los Angeles. The city is a major travel destination for all types, and backpackers will find no shortage of hostels or budget friendly accommodation around town.
Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.
Los Angeles is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with students.
Los Angeles is a very popular city for students. International students have long flocked to this for its major universities and diverse setting. Major universities in the area include UCLA, the University of Southern California, and the California Institute of Technology.
Phoenix is not popular with students.
Los Angeles is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.
While Los Angeles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Many of the public transit options are overlooked by visitors for a number of reasons, but options include the subway, light rail, and buses.
Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.
Los Angeles is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.
Los Angeles is a somewhat walkable city. The city is sprawling, but some of the neighborhoods are more walkable than others. Some of the more walkable neighborhoods include Hollywood, Koreatown, Downtown, and MacArthur Park.
Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.
For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is Los Angeles Worth Visiting?.
Both Phoenix and Los Angeles have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Los Angeles than in Phoenix. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 5-7 days is enough time in Los Angeles.
Families should spend more time in Los Angeles than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Los Angeles, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Los Angeles than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Los Angeles that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Los Angeles than Phoenix if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Los Angeles.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Because Los Angeles is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the sprawling destination of Phoenix. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Because Los Angeles is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
The sprawling city of Phoenix offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Los Angeles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Los Angeles has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Phoenix. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Los Angeles. Because Los Angeles is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $276, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $300. 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 Phoenix and Los Angeles in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phoenix or Los Angeles? 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.
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Phoenix 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
When comparing the travel costs between Phoenix and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Phoenix Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Phoenix and Los Angeles, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Los Angeles. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. Phoenix is much warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 98°F (36°C) in July, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In July, Phoenix usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Los Angeles. Many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Phoenix is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Phoenix in October average around 79°F (26°C), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C).
Phoenix usually gets more rain in October than Los Angeles. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Los Angeles and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Phoenix is generally around the same temperature as Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 58°F (14°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Los Angeles and Phoenix during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Phoenix is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Los Angeles. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Phoenix | Los Angeles | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
Mar | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
May | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
Jun | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
Aug | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
Sep | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Oct | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
Dec | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |