Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Texas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Texas or Alaska?
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 Texas and Alaska. 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: Texas or Alaska?
Texas
Texas is the second largest and second most populated state in the United States. It measures 267,000 square miles in size and exploring even a large section of the state takes longer than you might expect. The size and distinctive culture of the area brings much pride to the state's natives. The state was briefly its own country for ten years, starting in 1836 after the residents rebelled as a territory of first Spain and then Mexico. It then joined the United States in 1845. The state maintains its independent personality and many Texans proudly display the state flag near their home or car.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Texas Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTexas $228Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in Texas is $228, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 Texas and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTexas $81Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTexas $162Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in Texas and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in Texas or Alaska? 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.Texas $49Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Texas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Texas:
- Private Transfer IAH Airport to Houston Space Center Galveston: $42
- Private Houston to Galveston Minibus Transfer | 16 Passengers: $51
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $52
- Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $56
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $56
- Allen or Plano to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Dallas to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Plano or Allen - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Anchorage to Seward Direct Transfer Tour: $79
- Anchorage to Seward Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife: $120
- Anchorage to Whittier Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Anchorage to Whittier Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Portage Glacier Express with Van Transfer from Anchorage: $123
- Private Transfer Alaska Anchorage Airport ANC to Anchorage City: $180
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Seward Cruise Transfer with Wildlife & Scenic Tour to Anchorage: $249
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $227
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Texas or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and Texas 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 dayTexas $71Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Texas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Texas.
- Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk Dinner and Photo Package: $51
- Alamo City Murder Mystery Dinner Show: $70
- Asian Dumplings Cooking Class in San Antonio: $75
- Pizza & Pours: Tasting & Lunch at Flat Creek Estate: $75
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $80
- Austin Food Tour with Authentic Flavors, Tacos & 5 Food Tastings: $86
- Houston Downtown Food Tour with 5 Tastings of Tradition & Fusion: $90
- Stockyards Saloons & Foodie Crawl with Food Tours of America: $95
- Austin Street Art and Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $96
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
- San Antonio Centre Food Tour of 6 Tastings with Tacos & Ice Cream: $98
- Fort Worth Taste of Sundance Square with Food Tours of America: $99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $200
- Kenai Fjords National Park Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Texas $23Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in Texas
Here are a few actual costs in Texas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Fort Worth Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Haunted Private App Guided Ghost Walking Tour in Waco: $9.75
- Unique Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Experience in Fort Worth: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Austin by Wacky Walks: $10
- Gem Panning Adventure at the Crystal Gallery: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Waco by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Fort Worth by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Fort Worth by Crazy Dash: $10
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston All Access Admission Ticket: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Fort Worth by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Dallas: $12
- Galveston Naval Museum Admission Ticket: $14
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Anchorage Self-Guided Tour: Discover Glaciers & Alaska's Frontier: $1.15
- Anchorage to Denali Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $16
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: Anchorage to Seward: $17
- Downtown Juneau Explorer Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $20
- Anchorage–Homer Sterling Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $20
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Anchorage to Homer: $20
- Anchorage Trolley's 1-Hour City Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $36
- Alaska Road Trip: Anchorage, Seward, Homer & Denali Audio Tour: $40
- Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Alaska Bundle: $40
- Siberian Husky Kennel Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $49
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTexas $19Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Texas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Texas:
- Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $10
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Plano: $15
- Astonishing Bar Crawl in Houston Hustle: $15
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- Sip & Savor: Wine Tasting at Flat Creek Estate: $32
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl Tour and Guided History Walk: $33
- Haunted History Pub Crawl & Walking Tour: $33
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl – Ghosts, Drinks & Historic Bars: $35
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin: $39
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Distillery Tour in the Heart of Anchorage: $25
- Denali Husky Sled Dog Experience & Local Brewery Visit: $130
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Wilderness and Wine Tasting out of Anchorage: $239
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Texas and Alaska, we can see that Alaska is more expensive. And not only is Texas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Texas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Texas 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 Alaska would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alaska than you might in Texas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Texas Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Texas or Alaska?
Texas has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Texas and Alaska, 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.