Which place is cheaper, Pueblo or Santa Barbara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Barbara or Pueblo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santa Barbara or Pueblo? 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 Pueblo?
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.
Pueblo
Pueblo is a surprisingly large community in the state of Colorado that has a population of more than 100,000. Many travelers pass through this area if they're heading into the mountain area from the southeast. It's sits along Interstate Highway 25 and is only forty five miles from Colorado Springs. There's a regional airport in the area as well. In town there is a bus service run by the City Of Pueblo Transit. Rides cost $1.00, but it is highly recommended that you have your own vehicle when visiting town.
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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Barbara $162Pueblo $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Barbara is $162, while the average daily cost in Pueblo is $284. 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 Pueblo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Barbara $88Pueblo $276
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Barbara $176Pueblo $552
Compare Hotels in Santa Barbara and Pueblo
Looking for a hotel in Santa Barbara or Pueblo? 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 Pueblo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Barbara $42Pueblo -
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 Pueblo?
Prices for flights to both Pueblo 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 $46Pueblo $7.64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Barbara $27Pueblo -
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Barbara $12Pueblo -
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Barbara and Pueblo, we can see that Pueblo is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Pueblo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pueblo than you might in Santa Barbara.
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 Pueblo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Barbara or Pueblo?
Pueblo has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Santa Barbara and Pueblo, 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.
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.