Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sao Paulo or New Orleans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $53New Orleans $239
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30New Orleans $125
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96New Orleans $51
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 New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
- One-Way Private New Orleans Arrival or Departure Transfer: $275
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
- Private Transfer from Port Of New of New Orleans Cruise: $210
- New Orleans Airport (MSY): Private Transfer to New Orleans: $209
- New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport MSY Round-Trip Private Transfer: $206
- New Orleans Airport One way Transfer to Baton Rouge or Slidell: $200
- 11 Passenger Executive Van: New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $197
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164
- Private Transfer From New Orleans To Baton Rouge: $157
- Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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
-
Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $15New Orleans $45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08New Orleans $55
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 New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
-
Riverboat Cruise$70
-
French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Bom Creole Dining Experience w/ Pool and Louisiana Native Chef : $135
- Creole French Quarter Walking Tour: $30
- Walking Instagram Photo Tour in the French Quarter New Orleans: $27
- 2-Hour Guided French Quarter Vampire Walking Tour: $25
- 45 Minute Highlights Tour of the French Quarter: $23
- 90-Minute Jean Lafitte Swamp and Bayou Tour with Transportation: $57
- A Local's Private French Quarter Walking or Biking Tour : $175
- Adults-Only History, Ghost, Vampire, and Voodoo Walking Tour: $30
- Adults-Only New Orleans Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour: $37
- Airboat Tour of Louisiana Swamps: $130
- Audio-Guided Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation: $90
- Automated Historical Ghost Bus Tour of New Orleans: $55
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55New Orleans $60
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 New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Private New Orleans Seafood Bar Crawl: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- New Orleans Bar Crawl: $28
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or New Orleans?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
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 New Orleans has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Sao Paulo or New Orleans in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and New Orleans. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sao Paulo is cooler than New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sao Paulo in January average around 25°C (77°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C)in July.
New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than New Orleansin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or New Orleans in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as New Orleans. Additionally, many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In April, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as New Orleansin October. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 22°C (72°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in April than New Orleansin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or New Orleans in the Winter?
Both New Orleans and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Sao Paulo is much warmer than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than New Orleansin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or New Orleans in the Spring?
Both New Orleans and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sao Paulo in October average around 21°C (70°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C)in April.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in October than New Orleansin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.