Which place is cheaper, Edmonton or Reno?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reno or Edmonton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Reno or Edmonton? 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: Reno or Edmonton?
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
Edmonton
The capital of Alberta, Canada, Edmonton has a population of just over one million people in its metropolitan area. It is also North America's northernmost city of this large size. It's a beautiful place to visit because of the North Saskatchewan River Valley which has over one hundred kilometers of hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and overlooks. The valley has a string of parks which are wonderful to visit. In addition to the beautiful outdoor setting and activities, Edmonton also offers the largest shopping mall in North America, West Edmonton Mall. It's also a city with a lot of culture including a lively theater scene, many different festivals, and no shortage of sporting events that you could attend.
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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReno $144Edmonton $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Reno is $144, while the average daily cost in Edmonton is $179. 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 Reno and Edmonton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReno $55Edmonton $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReno $110Edmonton $202
Compare Hotels in Reno and Edmonton
Looking for a hotel in Reno or Edmonton? 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: Reno Hotel Prices and Edmonton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reno $23Edmonton $79
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
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Car Wash$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $186
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $219
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edmonton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Edmonton:
- Private Departure Transfer from Hotels to Edmonton Airport: $43
- Edmonton to Edmonton Airport (YEG) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Reno or Edmonton?
Prices for flights to both Edmonton and Reno 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 dayReno $54Edmonton $16
Typical Food Prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)$19
Typical Food Prices in Edmonton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Edmonton are as follows:
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Snacks$7.26
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reno $88Edmonton $91
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Reno by Operation City Quest: $10
- Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure: $12
- Lake Tahoe Audio Driving Tour: $14
- Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Carson City, NV: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $22
- Zero Latency Extreme Virtual Reality Experience Ticket: $25
- Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Reno Ghosts Tour: $30
Tours and Activities in Edmonton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Edmonton are as follows:
- Discover the Early History of Strathcona with Historic Walking Tour: $4.46
- Edmonton River Valley 60-Minute Segway Adventure: $45
- Edmonton River Valley 90-Minute Segway Adventure: $63
- Edmonton Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- 1-Hour Segway Adventure in Louise McKinney Park: $44
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Romantic Tour Around Edmonton For Couples: $224
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Edmonton by Crazy Dash: $10
- The Best of Edmonton Walking Tour: $224
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReno $13Edmonton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Reno
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
- 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
- Brewery Tour: $130
Sample the Local Flavors in Edmonton
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Edmonton:
- Edmonton Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reno and Edmonton, we can see that Edmonton is more expensive. And not only is Reno much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Reno would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Reno 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 Edmonton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edmonton than you might in Reno.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Reno Expensive? and Is Edmonton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reno or Edmonton?
Edmonton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Reno and Edmonton, 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.