Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Los Angeles, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $53Los Angeles $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $258. 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 Sao Paulo and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Los Angeles $140
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Los Angeles $280
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Los Angeles? 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96Los Angeles $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport transfer: $113
- Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $80
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-RoundTrip Transfer: $77
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in São Paulo HTL-APT(GRU): $61
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $139
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $64
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
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Hotel Parking for a Day$22
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Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- LA: City Highlights Private Guided Tour with Transfer: $999
- Private City Highlights Tour with Transfer: $999
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX): Private Transfer to Los Angeles: $769
- Private Transfers between LAX Airport and Los Angeles: $519
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation : $300
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Garden Groove: $299
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Buena Park: $299
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Anaheim: $299
- Private Transfer from LAX to Anaheim / Buena Park / Garden Groove: $299
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX in Luxury Car: $273
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $273
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $252
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15Los Angeles $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
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Burritos for Two$15
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Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings: $75
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $82
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $88
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- West Hollywood Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $89
- LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Downtown Los Angeles Walking Food Tour with Six Taste: $110
- Night Cruise in Marina del Rey with Dinner: $124
- Vegan African Dinner Party in Playa Del Ray: $132
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08Los Angeles $82
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
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Bowling$13
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Hollywood Tour for Two$30
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Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Private Ferrari Driving Tour: Hollywood to Beverly Hills: $289
- 17 Miles and Pebble Beach Tour from Los Angeles to San Francisco: $144
- 2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour: $175
- 2 Hour Griffith Park Observatory Tour: $20
- 2 Hour Private Tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills Celebrity Homes: $175
- 2-Hour Hollywood Bus Tour: $45
- 2-Hour Shared Celebrities Home Tours in Hollywood: $35
- 2-Hour Venice Beach Art and History Walking Tour: $39
- 2-Hours Guided Black and Brown Hollywood Tour: $77
- 2.5 Hour Fright Sights Tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills: $219
- 2.5 Hour Private Tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills: $219
- 2.5-hour Hollywood Chills Tour - Celebrity Scandals and Cemeteries : $219
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Salsa Lesson, Burlesque and Mojitos : $149
- Salsa Lesson and Burlesque Show: $149
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Los Angeles is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Los Angeles. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Los Angeles, 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 Sao Paulo or Los Angeles?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Los Angeles has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Los Angeles. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C)in July.
Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Los Angelesin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Los Angeles. Also, most visitors come to Los Angeles for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
In the autumn, Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sao Paulo in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C)in October.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in April than Los Angelesin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Winter?
Both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
In July, Sao Paulo is generally a little warmer than Los Angelesin January. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 19°C (66°F), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Los Angelesin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Los Angeles in the Spring?
Both Los Angeles and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.
Sao Paulo is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 21°C (70°F) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C)in April.
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Los Angelesin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Los Angeles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
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.