Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Taipei?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Taipei or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Taipei and Los Angeles. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Taipei or Los Angeles?
Taipei
Few cities in the world are full of more diverse opportunities than the cultural crosshairs city of Taipei. As the capital of Taiwan, this 300-year-old city is the financial, cultural and governmental center of Taiwan. Located in the northern part of the island between the Yangming Mountains and Central Mountains, this city of 2.6 million people is always ready to welcome more visitors.
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 The Best Cultural Tours in Taiwan, The Best Tours for Seniors to Taiwan, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTaipei $182Los Angeles $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Taipei is $182, 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 Taipei and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTaipei $146Los Angeles $140
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTaipei $292Los Angeles $280
Compare Hotels in Taipei and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Taipei 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: Taipei Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Taipei $10Los Angeles $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Taipei
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Taipei:
-
Easycard$2.01
-
Easycard$9.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Taipei
Also for Taipei, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Chinese driver charter sedan] 1 to 4 people ☆ Taoyuan Airport ⇔ Taipei City Hotel Airport Transfer [one way]: $53
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei HTL-APT (TSA): $28
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Taipei APT-HTL (TSA): $28
- Taoyuan airport to Yilan Private Transfer: $115
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Taoyuan/Taipei hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Taiwan Taoyuan Airport (TPE) to Keelung Cruise Port - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $116
- Taoyuan Airport (TPE) Return Bus Transfer: $8.68
- Taipei Taoyuan Airport TPE to Beitou New Taipei Arrival Transfer: $77
- Taipei Private Transfer: Keelung Cruise Port to Hotel: $85
- Taipei Departure Private Transfer: Hotel to Taoyuan International Airport: $55
- Taipei Arrival Private Transfer: Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel: $55
- Private Transfer：Taoyuan International Airport to Hotel: $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
-
Hotel Parking for a Day$22
-
Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- World Cruise Center to Long Beach Airport(LGB)-Departure Transfer: $66
- World Cruise Center to Long Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Los Angeles APT-HTL (LAX): $141
- San Diego Private Transfer To or From Universal Studios/Burbank.: $248
- Roundtrip transfer in private car Los Angeles Airport (LAX)-Los Angeles Downtown: $100
- RoundTrip private transfer from Los Angeles airportLAX to Anaheim: $133
- Private transfer from Los Angeles airport LAX to Anheim: $67
- Private Transfers between LAX Airport and Los Angeles: $519
- Private Transfers between LAX Airport and LA City Center: $97
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to LA City Center: $26
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles (LAX) to/from Anaheim Resort Area: $123
- Private Transfer: LAX Airport and Universal Studio Hollywood: $124
Is it cheaper to fly into Taipei or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Taipei 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 dayTaipei $16Los Angeles $60
Typical Food Prices in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
EasyCard$15
-
Lunch at The Can$6.81
-
EasyCard$31
-
Lunch$2.94
-
Lunch$1.86
-
Dinner$6.19
-
Lunch$3.56
-
Lunch$4.65
-
Louisa coffee$2.94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Taipei
For Taipei, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historic Night Market Food Tour with Tastings: $45
- Ximending Vegan Food Tour Snack, Dessert & Main!: $46
- Taipei Food Tour: Yongkang Street for Foodies: $58
- Yansan Night Market Food Tour: $62
- Turnip cake, Pork thick soup, Tofu pudding. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-C (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $65
- Xiao Long Bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-B (Taipei Cooking Class): $65
- Taipei Food Tour and Colorful Bubble Tea Making: $70
- Pineapple Pastry with Egg Yolk, Longan Cake, High Mountain Oolong Tea. Taiwan Traditional Dessert Experience-D (Taipei Cooking Class): $70
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $74
- Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun: $75
- Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Experience-A (Taipei Cooking Class): $77
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
-
Burritos for Two$15
-
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Taipei $17Los Angeles $82
Tours and Activities in Taipei
For Taipei, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 9 Hour Northeast Coast Bay View Tour in Yilan : $58
- One-Day Historical and Heritage Tour in Taipei : $47
- 1 Day Tour Northern Taiwan Coast Tour: $200
- 1-day Tour to Sun Moon Lake from Taipei by High Speed Rail : $250
- 2 Days Sun Moon Lake & Lukang Historic Area Tour: $232
- 2-Day Private Tour to Sun Moon Lake and Mount Hehuan: $195
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Beitou, Taiwan: $55
- 2-Hour Private Ximending Area Walking Tour: $35
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - S.Y.S. Memorial Hall & 44 South Village: $58
- 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple: $55
- 3-hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Songshan distric & taste lotus hot pot: $77
- 3.5 hours Taipei City Tour (morning or afternoon ) : $44
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
-
Bowling$13
-
Hollywood Tour for Two$30
-
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
- 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-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
- 20 Min Ferrari driving tour in Hollywood: $99
- 20 Min Lamborghini driving tour in Hollywood: $139
- 3 Hours Private Photoshoot and Self-Guided Tour in Los Angeles: $287
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayTaipei $18Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Taipei
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Taipei:
- Taipei Nightlife: Taipei Pub Crawls (2 Different Routes): $30
- Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery: $130
- Private Tour Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery from Taipei : $207
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 Taipei and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Taipei much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Taipei is in Asia 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 Taipei would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taipei 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 Taipei.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Taipei Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Taipei or Los Angeles?
Taipei has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Los Angeles. When comparing the sizes of Taipei 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.
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.