Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Texas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTexas $198Alaska $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Texas is $198, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $243. 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 $80Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTexas $160Alaska $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 Departure Transfer to Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW: $40
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer : $40
- El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston George Bush Airport IAH: $51
- Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): $51
- Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $60
- Transfer executive private car from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DFW): $60
- Transfer private executive car from Dallas Airport (DFW)- City Center: $60
- Allen or Plano to Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Transfer in executive private car from Dallas City Center - Dallas Airport (DAL): $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Anchorage to Seward- Pre-Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $219
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
- Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $232
- Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
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 $43Alaska $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Texas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Texas.
- East Austin Food Tour: $44
- Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk Dinner and Photo Package: $51
- Seasonal Pizza From Scratch Experience in Houston: $55
- Murder Mystery Dinner and Show: $66
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
- Devour Downtown Austin Walking Food Tour: $80
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
- Famous Texas BBQ & Food Tour in Austin: $89
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $256
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:
- The Stockyards Haunted Self Guided Audio App Walking Tour: $6.50
- Self-Guided Ghost Tour on the Galveston Strand: $6.75
- Historic Dallas Downtown Solo Self Guided Walking Tour : $7.75
- Sights of Downtown Houston Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
- Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $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
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Fort Worth by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Unique Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Experience in League City: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Corpus Christi by 3Quest Challenge: $10
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Gold Rush Boomtown: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Skagway: $5.00
- Juneau, The Last Frontier Self Guided (Smart Phone App/GPS) Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Sensational Sitka Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Seward Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- DIY Skagway Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: $20
- Anchorage Trolley Tour: $25
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Kennecott Mill Town Tour: $34
- Guided Walking Tour of Sitka | HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: $39
- Adventurers Ready To Jump Into the Void Alaska Style Wanted: $39
- Axe Throwing - 60 minute Experience : $40
- 2-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $40
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
- Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Fort Worth Bar Hunt: Foolproof Fort Worth Bar Crawl: $12
- Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Austin Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
- Stockyards History Tour Fort Worth Pub Crawl: $45
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
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.