Which place is cheaper, Kamloops or Santa Barbara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops? 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: Santa Barbara or Kamloops?
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
Kamloops
In British Columbia, Canada, Kamloops is perhaps most famous for the large number of tournaments it hosts, everything from the Strauss Canada Cup of Curling, to the World Fly Fishing Championships. It also hosts Skate Canada, Tim Horton's Olympic Qualifying Bike Race, and the World Junior Hockey Championships among others. The city is in the south central part of the province and it sits near the confluence of the two branches of the Thompson River near Kamloops Lake. The city has a population of about 85,000 and it's the largest community in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Barbara $162Kamloops $81
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Barbara is $162, while the average daily cost in Kamloops is $81. 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 Santa Barbara and Kamloops in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Barbara $88Kamloops $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Barbara $176Kamloops $88
Compare Hotels in Santa Barbara and Kamloops
Looking for a hotel in Santa Barbara or Kamloops? 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: Santa Barbara Hotel Prices and Kamloops Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Barbara $42Kamloops $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Barbara or Kamloops?
Prices for flights to both Kamloops and Santa Barbara 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
-
Food Meals for one daySanta Barbara $46Kamloops $24
Typical Food Prices in Kamloops
For Kamloops, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Pastries$5.81
-
Lunch for Two$25
-
Coffee and Gelato$12
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Barbara $27Kamloops $13
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 5 STARS: "Where The Locals Go!" Nature-History Tour: $95
- Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
- City & Sand Electric Bike Tour: $105
- Coastline Kayak Tour near Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide: $122
- Downtown SB Walking Food & Drink Tour: $175
- Electric Bike Adventure in Santa Barbara Wine Country: $83
- Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley: $139
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- Montecito Coastline Electric Bike Guided Tour: $125
- Private Helicopter Tour in Santa Barbara: $149
Tours and Activities in Kamloops
For Kamloops, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Vancouver and Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops and Vancouver: $6.31
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Kamloops & Revelstoke: $6.33
- Skip the Line: Kamloops BC Wildlife Park Admission Ticket: $14
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Kamloops by Zombie Scavengers: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Barbara $12Kamloops $6.77
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
-
Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Kamloops, we can see that Santa Barbara is more expensive. And not only is Kamloops much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kamloops would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kamloops 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 Santa Barbara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Barbara than you might in Kamloops.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Barbara Expensive? and Is Kamloops Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Kamloops?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Kamloops. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Kamloops, 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 Santa Barbara or Kamloops?
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.
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops in the Summer?
Both Kamloops and Santa Barbara during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 65°F (19°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in July than Kamloops. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Barbara 65°F (19°C)Kamloops 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Kamloops. Most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Santa Barbara is much warmer than Kamloops in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Kamloops fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In October, Santa Barbara usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kamloops. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Barbara 62°F (17°C)Kamloops 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Kamloops. The winter months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Kamloops in the winter. In the winter, Santa Barbara is much warmer than Kamloops. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Barbara in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Kamloops averages at about -3°C (27°F).
Santa Barbara usually gets more rain in January than Kamloops. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Barbara 52°F (11°C)Kamloops -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Kamloops in the Spring?
Both Kamloops and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In April, Santa Barbara is generally a little warmer than Kamloops. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 57°F (14°C), and Kamloops fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In April, Santa Barbara usually receives more rain than Kamloops. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Kamloops receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Barbara 57°F (14°C)Kamloops 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Kamloops and Santa Barbara
| Santa Barbara | Kamloops | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -3°C (27°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 12°C (53°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 17°C (63°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.