Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Saint Louis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and San Francisco. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Saint Louis is a fascinating, under rated, and unexpected city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.
San Francisco is a quirky, eccentric, and one-of-a-kind coastal city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, beaches, and hiking.
You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Saint Louis. San Francisco is bigger than Saint Louis, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is more touristy than Saint Louis and is popular for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Also, San Francisco is famous for The Golden Gate Bridge. Saint Louis is well known for its blues and live music scene, its authentic personality, and its position as the Gateway to the West.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and Saint Louis. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Saint Louis and San Francisco have world-class landmarks and museums for visitors.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Saint Louis that are not to be missed. There are a surprising number of museums around town. For art museums you should visit the Contemporary Art Museum, the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. For history, the Griot Museum of Black History, the Jefferson Barracks Telephone Museum, and the Lewis & Clark Museum and Boathouse are all interesting. There are also science, educational, and children's museums. And of course, there's the iconic Gateway Arch.
The museums and tourist attractions in San Francisco are world-renowned. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.
San Francisco is a good destination for theatre. However, Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.
Saint Louis is not a theatre destination.
San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its restaurant scene. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
Eat your way through San Francisco, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.
Saint Louis has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are some local dishes that originated here. Toasted ravioli had its start in St. Louis. There's also a St. Louis style pizza. Diners, cafes, and sandwiches are all part of the food scene and be prepared for cheese, meaty, and satisfying.
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Saint Louis and San Francisco.
Saint Louis has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Visitors often hang out in the downtown area, particularly around Washington Avenue, for the nightlife scene. Live music is popular, especially the blues, and there are many local venues worth checking out.
If you're looking for night time activities San Francisco has a few options to choose from. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.
San Francisco is a good destination for live music. However, Saint Louis is not a live music destination.
You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.
Saint Louis is not a live music destination.
San Francisco is well known for its beaches. However, Saint Louis is not a beach destination.
Many people visit San Francisco for it's beautiful beaches. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.
Saint Louis is not a beach destination.
San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.
San Francisco is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.
Saint Louis is not a hiking destination.
San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for shopping. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
San Francisco is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.
Saint Louis is well-known for its shopping. There are vintage stores, boutiques, and suburban strip malls around town. There are also farmer's markets and art galleries.
San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Francisco is very family-friendly. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Louis is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of activities for kids around town. There's the St. Louis Zoo and the City Museum with many hands-on exhibits for kids. There's also the Crown Ridge Tiger Sanctuary and several farms with animals and nature. Forest Park is an impressive urban park as well.
San Francisco is well known for romance. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.
Couples visit San Francisco frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.
Saint Louis makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Fine dining restaurants and eclectic activities make this city an often overlooked couples destination.
San Francisco is well known for backpackers. However, Saint Louis is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers come from all over to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.
Saint Louis is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of affordable motels around town but no real hostels.
San Francisco is well known for students. However, Saint Louis is not popular with students.
Many students visit San Francisco. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.
Saint Louis is not popular with students.
San Francisco is an amazing coastal city to visit for its public transit. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.
Public transit in San Francisco is top-notch. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.
The public transit in Saint Louis can get you around easily. There's a light rail system as well as buses that travel around town.
San Francisco is well known for its walkability. Also, Saint Louis is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.
San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.
Saint Louis is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the city are walkable, like the downtown area and the sections around the Gateway Arch.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Louis Worth Visiting? and Is San Francisco Worth Visiting?.
Both Saint Louis and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than in Saint Louis. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Saint Louis, and 3-7 days is enough time in San Francisco.
Families should spend more time in San Francisco than Saint Louis. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Francisco, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in San Francisco than Saint Louis. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in San Francisco that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco than Saint Louis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in San Francisco.
Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under rated destination of Saint Louis. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.
San Francisco is a outdoorsy coastal city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Louis. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.
San Francisco is a eccentric big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fascinating destination of Saint Louis. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
San Francisco is a scenic coastal city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
You'll find food and shopping around the city of Saint Louis. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
San Francisco is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Louis is $184, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 Louis and San Francisco in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis or San Francisco? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Saint Louis 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Saint Louis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Louis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Louis 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Saint Louis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Louis Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and San Francisco, 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.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both San Francisco and Saint Louis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint Louis is generally much warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Saint Louis usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and San Francisco. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Louis is cooler than San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In October, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as San Francisco. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Louis is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).
Saint Louis usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Francisco and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. In April, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Louis | San Francisco | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Aug | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |