Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro 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.
Where Should I go: Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $106Los Angeles $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $106, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $258. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Los Angeles $140
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Los Angeles $280
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.04Los Angeles $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
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:
- Sta. Monica Private Transfer To or From Los Angeles Airport/Cruise Port.: $71
- Airport Transfer: $220
- Airport transfer/transfer to any place: $150
- Arrival Private Transfer: LAX Airport to Anaheim Resort Area: $195
- Beverly Hills Transfers: $150
- Cruise Terminal to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Luxury Car: $272
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Luxury SUV: $195
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $272
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) to Los Angeles - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $164
- Hollywood Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios or Burbank.: $39
- Hollywood to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Los Angeles $60
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
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:
- Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings: $75
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $82
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $88
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- West Hollywood Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $89
- LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Downtown Los Angeles Walking Food Tour with Six Taste: $110
- Night Cruise in Marina del Rey with Dinner: $124
- Vegan African Dinner Party in Playa Del Ray: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Los Angeles $82
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
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:
- Los Ángeles self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Hollywood Secrets: In App Audio Tour at the Famous District: $5.00
- Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Chinatown Self-Guided Audio Tour (ENG): $5.40
- The Heart of Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Self-Guide Tour in Culver City: $5.99
- LA: Broad Museum & Downtown Walk In-App Audio Tour: $7.00
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Smartphone Ghost Tour: $7.31
- Pacific Coast Hwy (LA Santa Maria): Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.31
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $7.99
- Beverly Hills Walking In-App Audio Tour: $9.00
- Getty Center In-App Audio Tour (ENG, ES): $9.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
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: $40
- Salsa Lesson, Burlesque and Mojitos : $149
- Salsa Lesson and Burlesque Show: $149
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Los Angeles. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro 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.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Los Angeles has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Los Angeles. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C)in July.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Los Angelesin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles in the Autumn?
Both Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C)in October.
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Los Angelesin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles in the Winter?
Both Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
In July, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Los Angelesin January. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 21°C (70°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in July than Los Angelesin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Los Angeles in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Los Angeles. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C)in April.
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Los Angelesin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Los Angeles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
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.