Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tampa or Fairfield?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tampa or Fairfield? 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: Tampa or Fairfield?
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampa $179Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $179, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Tampa and Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampa $85Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampa $170Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Tampa or Fairfield? 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: Tampa Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampa $69Fairfield -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tampa hotels: $300
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Transfer tо Tampa Bay Cruise Port: $300
- Tampa Airport (TPA): Private Transfer to Tampa hotel/address: $202
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport TPA to Lakeland/Winter Haven: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach: $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address : $187
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg Accommodation: $187
- Private transfer from Tampa airport To Zephyrhills, FL: $155
- Private Transfer from TPA to Tampa / St Petersburg / Clearwater Beach : $120
- Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Clearwater: $120
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa Hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield and Tampa 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 dayTampa $53Fairfield $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class near Disney in Tampa Florida: $88
- Ybor City Food Tour On Sundays: $89
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampa $20Fairfield $13
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tampa Terrors Ghost Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa: $31
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour: $69
- Adventure Island Water Park Ticket: $62
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket: $86
- Discover Tampa with Local Stories from a Virtual Tour: $30
- Downtown Tampa Historic Walking Tour: $30
- Escape to Paradise: Private Island Boat Adventure in Tampa: $630
- Ghost Hunters Paranormal Ghost Tour: $39
- Ghost Investigation Tour Interactive Paranormal Experience 18Plus: $35
- Ghost Investigation Tours with Interactive Paranormal Experience: $35
- Guided Tampa Sightseeing Tour in 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampa $26Fairfield -
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Crawl on a 2023 Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Ybor City Private Brewery Tour by Custom Golf Cart: $200
Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
- Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Fairfield, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tampa or Fairfield?
Tampa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Fairfield, 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 Tampa or Fairfield?
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 Tampa or Fairfield in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Fairfield. Many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tampa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTampa 82°F (28°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Fairfield in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Fairfield. Most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months.
In October, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the autumn, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets more rain in October than Fairfield. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTampa 75°F (24°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Fairfield in the Winter?
Both Fairfield and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine.
Tampa is much warmer than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Fairfield during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Tampa usually receives less rain than Fairfield. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTampa 60°F (15°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Tampa or Fairfield in the Spring?
Both Fairfield and Tampa during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.
In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the spring, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets more rain in April than Fairfield. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTampa 71°F (22°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Tampa
| Tampa | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.