Should you visit Tampa or Los Angeles?
Should I visit Tampa or Los Angeles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Los Angeles or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $119, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $190. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Tampa For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Los Angeles, $222 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Los Angeles, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $111, such as in a hostel.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Tampa cost around $35 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $14.
The price of a meal in Los Angeles can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $35 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Tampa $35
Los Angeles $35
Typical Food prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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:
-
How to Cook the Perfect Steak Virtual Cooking Class:
$42
-
Downtown Food Tour:
$75
-
West Hollywood Food Tour:
$75
-
Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour:
$77
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Los Angeles Venice Beach:
$96
-
Private Authentic Middle Eastern Cooking Class in Reseda, Los Angeles:
$102
-
Luxury Vegan Food Tours of Los Angeles:
$125
-
Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach, Los Angeles w/ Private Tour Option:
$207
-
3-Hour Secret Food Tour:
$209
Local Transportation
Tampa's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $38 per person, per day on transportation in Tampa.
Los Angeles's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $29 per person, per day on transportation in Los Angeles.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer from Tampa International Airport to Tampa:
$75
-
Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$164
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$82
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to St Petersburg - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$167
-
Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer:
$83
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Port Canaveral:
$526
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
-
Private Transfer from Tampa to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$393
-
Private Transfer from Tampa Airport to Sarasota:
$120
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:
-
Universal Studios Private Transfer To Anaheim Resort or OC Central.:
$123
-
Universal Studios Hollywood with transfers from Los Angeles or Anaheim:
$160
-
Transfer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX):
$39
-
Transfer Los Angeles to or from Anaheim:
$115
-
Stress free transfers from A through Z.:
$160
-
Small-Group Amazing Hollywood Sign Tour with Transfer:
$32
-
San Diego Private Transfer From Hollywood or Burbank.:
$398
-
Round Trip Los Angeles Airport (LAX) Transfer to Los Angeles City Center:
$132
-
Private transfer from Los Angeles International Airport to Los Angeles:
$100
-
Private Van Airport Arrival Transfer: LAX Airport to Anaheim Resort Area:
$53
-
Private Universal City Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$138
-
Private Universal City Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$155
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampa or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Tampa can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Los Angeles can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $64 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
1.5-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise from Tampa:
$31
-
2-hour Tiki Boat BYOB Cruise in Tampa:
$60
-
Adventure Island Water Park Ticket:
$63
-
Bayshore Drive Motorbike Tour:
$199
-
Bicycle Tour Orlando, Over Tampa Bay Ride:
$150
-
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Admission Ticket:
$110
-
Historic Ybor City Food and Drink Walking Tour:
$59
-
Motorcycle Tour of Sunshine Skyway Bridge:
$299
-
Nature Coast Private Day Tour From Tampa with Photographer , Max Group of 4:
$250
-
Nature Lovers Combo Tour:
$136
-
Skip the Line: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Ticket:
$26
-
Skip the Line: ZooTampa at Lowry Park Admission Ticket:
$45
Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
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 Instagram Pics Hollywood Sign Tour:
$39
-
10-Minute Hollywood Sign Helicopter Tour:
$124
-
15 mins Driving Tour in a Ferrari California T spider in hollywood:
$69
-
1HOUR FERRARI CALIFORNIA driving Tour from Hollywood to Beverly Hills:
$300
-
2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour:
$39
-
2 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour:
$61
-
2 hour Horseback Riding Tour near the Hollywood Sign with Transportation:
$127
-
2-Hour Hollywood Bike Tour:
$60
-
2-Hour Hollywood Walking and Hiking Tour with Skyline Views:
$34
-
3 Hour Hollywood to Beverly Hills small group Tour:
$41
-
3 Hour Venice Beach Bike Tour:
$71
-
3 Hours Los Angeles VIP Tour:
$49
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Tampa spend on average $20 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Los Angeles spend on average $11 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
-
Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Tampa Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - Ybor City:
$26
-
Private Tampa Brewery Tour - Party Bus:
$600
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
-
Brews Cruise- DTLA Brewery tour by bike:
$50
-
Brewery Walking Tour -- Downtown / Arts District:
$81
-
Malibu: Exclusive Wine Tasting and Falconry Experience:
$109
-
Malibu: Vintage VW Hippie Sightseeing Tour with Wine Tasting:
$139
-
Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles:
$249
-
Los Angeles Wine Tour:
$250
-
The Private Malibu Wine Tour:
$419
-
Food and Wine Tasting Party:
$750
-
Private Tour: Malibu Wine Tasting for Two by Limousine from Los Angeles:
$999
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampa and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 Tampa.
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