Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Pittsburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pittsburgh or Quebec City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pittsburgh or Quebec City, 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: Pittsburgh or Quebec City?
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania at the junction of 3 rivers. Set between the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, and a mountain ridge called Mt Washington, Pittsburgh has a unique character that is evident from the moment you arrive. Juxtaposed with the rumbling freight trains and the iconic bridges are the Bladerunner-esque self-driving Uber vehicles, scanning the roads with spinning Lidar scanners. Its Gilded Age sites, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, speak to its history as an early-20th-century industrial capital. In the North Shore neighborhood are the modern Andy Warhol Museum, Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Experiencing periods of boom and bust since its founding, the city is in a boom now, and it's a fun place to visit, with top-notch museums, great gardens and parks, and amazing food.
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPittsburgh $181Quebec City $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Pittsburgh is $181, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $126. 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 Pittsburgh and Quebec City in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPittsburgh $106Quebec City $73
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPittsburgh $212Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Pittsburgh and Quebec City
Looking for a hotel in Pittsburgh or Quebec City? 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: Pittsburgh Hotel Prices and Quebec City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pittsburgh $22Quebec City $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pittsburgh
Also for Pittsburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:
-
Parking in Quebec City$3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:
- Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Quebec: $228
- Québec Airport (YQB): Transfer to Le Terminal Quebec Port: $228
- Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $117
- Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $114
- Jean Lesage Arrivals Private Airport Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer from Quebec City to YQB airport: $108
- YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $99
- From Grosse Île Tour & Cruise w/ Bus Transfer: $98
- Quebec city private transfer: $97
- Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port to Quebec - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
- Le Terminal Quebec Port to Quebec city - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
- Quebec to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Departure Private Transfer: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Pittsburgh or Quebec City?
Prices for flights to both Quebec City and Pittsburgh 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 dayPittsburgh $54Quebec City $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.
- 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
- Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $192
- Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $192
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pittsburgh $38Quebec City $24
Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.
- Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.22
- Pittsburgh to Logstown Settler's History: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.32
- Entrance Ticket to AT BLAQK House Collections: $7.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pittsburgh by Crazy Dash: $10
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Pittsburgh: $25
- Smartphone-Guided Tour of Downtown Pittsburgh Sights & Stories: $28
- Public Art Walking Tour: $30
- Pittsburg 101 Tour: $30
- Pittsburgh 101 Walking History Tour: $32
- Black & Ghost Tour: $33
- Downtown History and Architecture Tour: $33
- Best of the Burgh Walking Tour: $33
Tours and Activities in Quebec City
Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Electric fatbike Tour of Québec City: $111
- Magnificent Montmorency Falls Private E-Bike Tour: $149
- 2-Hour Christmas Magic Tour in Old Quebec: $29
- APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.74
- Amazing Old Quebec City Classique Walking Tour with 1 Funicular Ticket included: $33
- Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $19
- Beautiful walking tour of Old Québec: $27
- Beyond the Walls Private E-Bike Tour: $178
- Bike Tour to Montmorency Falls from Quebec City: $126
- City & Market Farm Tour from Québec: $34
- Electric Bike Tour of Quebec City: $126
- Fatbike tour of Québec city in the winter: $102
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPittsburgh $33Quebec City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Pittsburgh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:
- Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
- Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
- New! Bites & Brews: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $50
- Bike and Brewery Tour: $69
- Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:
- Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
- Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
- Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $92
- Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pittsburgh and Quebec City, we can see that Pittsburgh is more expensive. And not only is Quebec City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quebec City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec City 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 Pittsburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pittsburgh than you might in Quebec City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pittsburgh Expensive? and Is Quebec City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pittsburgh or Quebec City?
Quebec City has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Pittsburgh and Quebec City, 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.