Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Santa Monica?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Monica or Niagara Falls?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santa Monica 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 Monica or Niagara Falls?
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.
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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Monica $210Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Monica is $210, 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 Monica and Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Monica $123Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Monica $246Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Santa Monica and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Santa Monica 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 Monica Hotel Prices and Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Monica $50Niagara Falls $16
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
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: $42
- 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 Monica or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls and Santa Monica 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 Monica $52Niagara Falls $28
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
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
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Monica $38Niagara Falls $20
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
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 USA Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Monica $21Niagara Falls $11
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
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 Monica and Niagara Falls, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Monica Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Niagara Falls?
Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Monica or Niagara Falls in the Summer?
Both Niagara Falls and Santa Monica are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Santa Monica is cooler than Niagara Falls in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 70°F (21°C) in July, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
In July, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 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 Monica 70°F (21°C)Niagara Falls 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Niagara Falls in the Autumn?
Both Niagara Falls and Santa Monica during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In the autumn, Santa Monica is much warmer than Niagara Falls. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Monica in October average around 67°F (20°C), and Niagara Falls averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Santa Monica usually gets less rain in October than Niagara Falls. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 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 Monica 67°F (20°C)Niagara Falls 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Niagara Falls in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Niagara Falls. Many travelers come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Niagara Falls can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Niagara Falls. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 57°F (14°C), and Niagara Falls fluctuates around -4°C (26°F).
In January, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Niagara Falls. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 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 Monica 57°F (14°C)Niagara Falls -4°C (26°F)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Niagara Falls in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Niagara Falls. Many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.
Santa Monica is much warmer than Niagara Falls in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Niagara Falls fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Santa Monica usually gets less rain in April than Niagara Falls. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 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 Monica 61°F (16°C)Niagara Falls 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Niagara Falls and Santa Monica
| Santa Monica | Niagara Falls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | -3°C (28°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) | 2°C (36°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 20°C (68°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 23°C (74°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 22°C (72°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.