Which place is cheaper, California or South Carolina?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit South Carolina or California?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between South Carolina and California can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: South Carolina or California?
South Carolina
The U.S. state of South Carolina is a part of the American South-rich in all the culture, cuisine, and countryside that make up the region. From the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains to a stunning coastline with many charming towns in between, the landscape of South Carolina is full of things to do and see. There are many great opportunities to dive into the past while indulging in the culture that thrives today.
California
California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySouth Carolina $207California $252
The average daily cost (per person) in South Carolina is $207, while the average daily cost in California is $252. 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 South Carolina and California in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSouth Carolina $96California $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSouth Carolina $192California $232
Compare Hotels in South Carolina and California
Looking for a hotel in South Carolina or California? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.South Carolina $33California $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in South Carolina
Some specific examples of transportation prices in South Carolina:
- Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $54
- Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $54
- Private Departure Transfer to Myrtle Beach Airport (MYR): $36
- Private Arrival Transfer from Myrtle Beach Airport MYR: $36
- Myrtle Beach to Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Myrtle Beach Intl. Airport (MYR) to Myrtle Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $74
- Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) to Greenville - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Greenville to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $103
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private One-way Airport Transfer (San Francisco Airport To/From San Francisco): $16
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to LA City Center: $26
- One Way Transfer: Los Angeles from /to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) : $29
- Private Arrival Transfer from John Wayne Orange County Airport SNA: $32
- Private Departure Transfer to John Wayne Orange County Airport SNA: $32
- Snow Summit to Ontario Airport (ONT) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Ontario Airport (ONT) to Snow Summit - Arrival Private Transfer: $33
- Santa Catalina to Catalina Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $35
- Avalon Airport (AVX) to Santa Catalina - Arrival Private Transfer: $35
- Ontario City to Ontario Airport (ONT) - Departure Private Transfer: $37
- Ontario Airport (ONT) to Ontario City - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- San Diego International Airport (SAN) Private Arrival Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into South Carolina or California?
Prices for flights to both California and South Carolina 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 daySouth Carolina $53California $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in South Carolina
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in South Carolina.
- Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Myrtle Beach: $50
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
- Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- Encinitas Food Tour: $70
- Carlsbad Food Tour and Wine Tasting: $75
- Pirates Dinner Adventure Buena Park: $79
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $82
- Little Italy Food and Drink Walking Tour - Pizza, Pasta & Piazzas: $85
- San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- Mission District Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $90
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.South Carolina $25California $63
Tours and Activities in South Carolina
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for South Carolina are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Morris Island and River Cruise: $255
- #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
- 1 Hour Private Dolphin Tour Hilton Head Island: $250
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Huntington Beach State Park in Myrtle Beach: $69
- 2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour: $45
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in Charleston: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- 60-Minute Escape Game Adventures in Myrtle Beach: $41
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin Tour: $48
- 90 Minute Hilton Head Dolphin and Nature Cruise: $45
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Avalon City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- The Heart of Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Self-Guide Tour in Culver City: $5.99
- Cow Heaven: A Self-Guided Driving Tour from Point Reyes Seashore to Tomales: $5.99
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
- Essential Downtown SLO: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- LA Little Tokyo to Olvera St Smartphone (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $7.50
- Self guided Driving Tour between LA and San Diego: $7.99
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Carmel-by-the-Sea's Fairytale Houses: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between San Francisco & Monterey: $7.99
- Old Sacramento: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySouth Carolina $30California $21
Sample the Local Flavors in South Carolina
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in South Carolina:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Spooky & Haunted Paranormal Bar Crawl Downtown Greenville: $32
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
Sample the Local Flavors in California
Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Long Beach Bar Hunt: Long Beach Boss Bar Crawl: $12
- Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Vintner's Private Wine Tasting Experience: $20
- Gaslamp Bar Crawls and Events: $20
- Sunset Distillery with Local Whiskey or Cocktail Tasting: $40
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $45
- Wine Tasting Around the World: $48
- Large Group Wine Tasting Tour (For 6+ Guests • We Drive Your Car): $60
- 4 Hour Livermore Valley Wine Tour: $100
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- 6 Hour Wine Tour in Napa & Sonoma with Pick-Up from Napa: $109
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between South Carolina and California, we can see that California is more expensive. And not only is South Carolina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to South Carolina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in South Carolina 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 California would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in California than you might in South Carolina.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is South Carolina Expensive? and Is California Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, South Carolina or California?
California has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of South Carolina. When comparing the sizes of South Carolina and California, 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.