Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Santa Barbara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Barbara $162Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Barbara is $162, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Barbara $88Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Barbara $176Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Santa Barbara and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Barbara $42Niagara Falls $16
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo to Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Departure: Private Transfer to Buffalo Niagara Airport: $79
- Niagara Buffalo Airport Arrival: Private Transfer to Niagara Falls Ontario: $80
- Buffalo Niagara Airport (BUF) to Buffalo - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $83
- Private Departure Transfer: Niagara Falls, Ontario to Buffalo Niagara International Airport: $87
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara Airport to Niagara Falls, Ontario: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Buffalo Airport (BUF): $96
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $97
- Shared Airport Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls NY: $99
- Transfer Buffalo Niagara International Airport BUF to Niagara Falls,Canada: $103
- Private Departure Transfer to Buffalo Airport (BUF): $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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
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Food Meals for one daySanta Barbara $46Niagara Falls $28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
- Niagara Falls Canada: Small Group Night Tour w/Boat & Dinner: $219
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Barbara $27Niagara Falls $20
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $30
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Santa Barbara Ghost History and Mystery Walking Tour "Invisible Becomes Visible": $55
- Santa Barbara Ghost Tour "The Veil is Lifted" History & Mystery Walk: $55
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- The Haunt: Solvang Ghost Hunting Tour: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- 1.5-Hour Harbor Kayak Tour: $60
- Catamaran Coastal Cruise: $62
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- Guided Sea Lion Kayaking Tour: $69
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Visit Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Hamilton Airport: $3.65
- Niagara Peninsula Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $6.21
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara Adventure Theater: $11
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Niagara SkyWheel Ticket: $12
- Niagara SkyWheel Admission Ticket: $13
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site Admission and Guided Tour: $13
- Niagara's Fury 4D Experience Entry Ticket: $14
- Niagara Falls, Canada: White Water Walk Entry Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Skylon Tower Observation Deck Ticket: $16
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Bird Kingdom Entry Ticket: $16
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Buffalo by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Niagara Falls, Canada: Journey Behind the Falls Entry Ticket: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Barbara $12Niagara Falls $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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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
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Niagara Falls, we can see that Santa Barbara is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.
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 Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Niagara Falls, 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 Niagara Falls?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls and Santa Barbara are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Barbara because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Santa Barbara is generally cooler than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 65°F (19°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
In July, Santa Barbara usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Santa Barbara gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Barbara 65°F (19°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
Both Niagara Falls and Santa Barbara during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
Santa Barbara is a little warmer than Niagara Falls in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Barbara averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in October than Niagara Falls. Santa Barbara gets 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Barbara 62°F (17°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Barbara and Niagara Falls. Many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Santa Barbara is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Barbara in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about -4°C (26°F).
In January, Santa Barbara usually receives more rain than Niagara Falls. Santa Barbara gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Barbara 52°F (11°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Barbara as well as Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Santa Barbara is generally a little warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Santa Barbara average around 57°F (14°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Santa Barbara usually gets less rain in April than Niagara Falls. Santa Barbara gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Niagara Falls receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Barbara 57°F (14°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Santa Barbara
| Santa Barbara | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | -0°C (31°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.