Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Quito?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Quito or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Quito or Los Angeles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Quito or Los Angeles?
Quito
Nestled between two mountain ranges lies the world's highest capital city, Quito, Ecuador. For history lovers, Quito is a very desirable destination as it's home to the Quito Historic Center – one of the largest and best-preserved historic centers in the Americas.
Even though Quito is full of people – in fact, it's the second most populous city in the country – very few of its inhabitants speak English. Luckily, however, the citizens of Quito tend to speak a slower and more clear Spanish than surrounding areas. This is the perfect place to practice what you read in your Intro to Spanish book.
Before visiting Quito, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, give yourself a few days to grow accustomed to the elevation. Staying 9,350 feet above sea level takes some getting used to. Second, don't be fooled into thinking that just because you're visiting a town on the equator that you'll need all your summer clothes. Because of the city's elevation, the area keeps a relatively cool climate year round.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Ecuador, The Best Eco Tours in Ecuador, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Quito Prices
Ecuador PricesLos Angeles Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuito $66Los Angeles $299
The average daily cost (per person) in Quito is $66, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $299. 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 Quito and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuito $22Los Angeles $138
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuito $44Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Quito and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Quito 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Quito Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quito $6.99Los Angeles $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quito
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Quito:
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Taxi from Bus Terminal to Hotel$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quito
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quito:
- Unique Quito Transfer Mariscal Sucre Airport to Hotel: $43
- Transfer from or to UIO Airport to any Hotel in Quito: $25
- Transfer from or to Airport Mariscal Sucre (one way): $75
- Transfer Quito → Papallacta (one way / round trip): $85
- Transfer Out from Quito to the Airport: $30
- Transfer Airport → Quito (one way / round trip): $50
- Shared Transfer from Quito hotels to Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from/to Airport: $35
- Private Transfer from the Airport to the city: $32
- Private Transfer In & Out: $130
- Private City Tour & Intiñam Museum Visit w/ Transfer: $89
- Panoramic City Tour & Airport Departure Transfer: $114
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
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Hotel Parking for a Day$22
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Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Anaheim Resort Area to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles in Luxury Car: $279
- Buena Park to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Convenient Long Beach Cruise Terminal Transfers to/from LAX: $275
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Business Car: $160
- Departure Transfer Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport LAX by Car: $130
- Helicopter Transfer: Long Beach to Catalina Island: $216
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Los Angeles - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
- Hollywood to Los Angeles Airport Airport Transfer Service (1-2 passengers): $290
- Huntington Beach to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $124
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Anaheim - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Buena Park - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Quito or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Quito 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 dayQuito $34Los Angeles $104
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quito
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quito.
- Ecuadorian Gastronomy Tasting and Cooking Class in Quito: $25
- Guilty Pleasures Walking Food Tours in Quito: $45
- Quito Eats Food Tour with 14+ Tastings: $55
- From Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers: $60
- Food Tour in quaint old town with tastings and lunch: $71
- 3-hour Andean Cooking Class in Quito with a Local Host: $75
- Street Food Tour with Private Transport: $79
- Homemade Local Food Tour in Guayaquil: $80
- Hidden Gems Food Tour with Cacao Tasting and Culture: $87
- Cooking Class in Quito with Chef, Market Tour and Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with Chef, Market Tour & Transportation: $88
- Cooking Class with a chef and local market including hotel pickup: $89
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
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Burritos for Two$15
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Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Silverlake Food Tour with Comedian Guide: $85
- Los Angeles : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $85
- Los Angeles Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $86
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- LA Food Tour: 6 Iconic Downtown Tastings & Secret Dish: $92
- 6 Authentic Tastings of Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
- LA Chinatown & Olvera St. Food Tour with To Live and Dine in LA: $99
- Hollywood Food Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $104
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quito $16Los Angeles $83
Typical Entertainment Prices in Quito
Here are a few typical costs in Quito for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to Guyasimine Museum for Two$8.00
Tours and Activities in Quito
Here are a few actual costs in Quito for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- “Adventure in Baths: Waterfalls, End of the World Swing and More”: $190
- 1-Day Adventure to the Andean Choco Experience the Forest: $125
- 2 Day Quito to Cotopaxi and Quilotoa Tour with Accommodation: $281
- 2 day 1 night tour to Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon all included: $280
- 2-Day Tour of Cotopaxi Volcano and Quilotoa Lagoon with hotel: $222
- 2D private Tour from Quito visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $281
- 3-Day Adventure: Quito, Cotopaxi, Quilotoa, Baños, Jungle: $897
- 3-Day Andes Adventure Visiting Cotopaxi, Quilotoa and Baños: $239
- 3-Day Antisana & Amazon comunities, Caves, Baños Guided Tour: $734
- 6-Day Ecuador Heritage Tour: Art, Culture and Otavalo: $1,847
- Adventure and Relaxation in Baños de Agua Santa: $236
- Adventure in Cotopaxi Firefall Limpiopungo and Andes: $160
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
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Bowling$13
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Hollywood Tour for Two$30
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Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.41
- Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $4.83
- Venice Beach: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Pasadena Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Santa Monica: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Los Angeles Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Podcast Tour: Diaspora in the Jewel City - Armenian Glendale: $5.46
- Podcast Tour Los Angeles Architecture of Hollywoods Golden Age: $5.46
- West Hollywood Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $6.00
- Podcast Tour: Showtime - How the Lakers Staged Modern Los Angeles: $6.83
- LA Little Tokyo to Olvera St Smartphone (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $7.50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuito $17Los Angeles $15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Quito
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Quito from other travelers:
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Beers for Two$9.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting: $30
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
- Santa Monica's Only Winery: Sommelier Guided Wine Tasting: $50
- Fun Gnocchi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Los Angeles: $75
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quito and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Quito much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Quito is in South America and Los Angeles 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 Quito would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quito 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Quito.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quito Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Quito or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Quito. When comparing the sizes of Quito 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.
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.