Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica or Saint Croix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica? 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: Saint Croix or Santa Monica?
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Croix $236Santa Monica $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Croix is $236, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $210. 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 Saint Croix and Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Croix $149Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Croix $298Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Saint Croix and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Saint Croix or Santa Monica? 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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices and Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Croix $35Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Santa Monica to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Deparure Private Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Croix or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica and Saint Croix 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 daySaint Croix $56Santa Monica $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.
- A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour: $96
- Los Angeles Premier Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $124
- Marina del Rey Christmas Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
- Marina del Rey Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise: $175
- Marina del Rey Father's Day Plated Dinner Cruise: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Croix $58Santa Monica $38
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $15
- Explore Malibu's Coast: PCH & Beyond - Self Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $22
- Santa Monica Ghosts Haunted Ghost Tour on the Pier: $30
- Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tour: $40
- Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $44
- Virtual Reality Escape Room Experience: $45
- Onewheel Board Experience: $60
- Los Angeles: Latin Dance Club Crawl Experience: $65
- 4.5 Hour Venice Beach Open Air Van Tour: $65
- Sights and Sips Cruise Tour in Marina del Rey: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Croix $27Santa Monica $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Vintage VW Hippie Tour to Malibu with wine tasting: $195
- Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199
- Charcuterie Board and Wine Tasting in Marina Bay: $300
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Croix and Santa Monica, we can see that Saint Croix 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. Even though Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Monica is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Croix Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
Saint Croix is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In July, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Croix 29°C (83°F)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
Both Santa Monica and Saint Croix during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Croix is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Croix in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. Saint Croix usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Croix 28°C (82°F)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Santa Monica. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Saint Croix is generally much warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In January, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Croix 26°C (78°F)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Monica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Santa Monica. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.
Saint Croix is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
Saint Croix usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Croix 27°C (80°F)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Saint Croix
| Saint Croix | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.