Which place is cheaper, California 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 California?
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 California. 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 California?
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.
California
California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.
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 PricesCalifornia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTexas $228California $286
The average daily cost (per person) in Texas is $228, while the average daily cost in California is $286. 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 California in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTexas $81California $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTexas $162California $232
Compare Hotels in Texas and California
Looking for a hotel in Texas or California? 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 $49California $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Texas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Texas:
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $152
- USA George Bush Inter Airport IAH Huston airport private transfer: $150
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
- San Antonio to San Antonio Airport (SAT) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Private Transfer: San Antonio City to San Antonio Airport SAT: $110
- Private Transfer from Galveston Port to Houston Airport (HOU): $152
- Private Transfer from Galveston Port to George Bush Airport (IAH): $216
- Private Transfer from Dallas to Dallas Airport DFW in Business Car: $116
- Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Luxury SUV: $135
- Private Transfer from Dallas Airport DFW to Dallas in Business Car: $116
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Anaheim Resort Area to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Anaheim Resort: Private Transfer to or from San Diego.: $179
- Anaheim Resort: Private Transfers To or From Hollywood, CA.: $95
- Anaheim to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Anaheim to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $128
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles in Luxury SUV: $221
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $181
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $110
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Luxury SUV: $123
- Arrival Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles by Business Car: $191
- Buena Park to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
Is it cheaper to fly into Texas or California?
Prices for flights to both California 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 $71California $79
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
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $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
- Deep Ellum Foodie & Street Art Tour with Food Tours of America: $95
- Austin Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $96
- Austin Street Art and Street Food Tour with Local Guide: $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $60
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- Chocolate Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in the Bay Area: $75
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $79
- San Diego Pizza & Gelato Walking Tour in Little Italy Small Group: $80
- San Francisco: The Mission District Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes: $85
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- Los Angeles Taco Tour with To Live and Dine in LA Food Tours: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Texas $23California $69
Tours and Activities in Texas
Here are a few actual costs in Texas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Private Electric Duffy Cruise on Lake Austin: $200
- 1 hr Lake Austin Boat Cruise. BYOB (Shared - Single Tickets): $39
- 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour: $28
- 1.5-Hour Historical SEA-DOO Experience in South Padre Island: $199
- 1900 Storm on the Strand Ghost Tour: $31
- 2 HR | Slingshot Gruene and River Road Self-guided Tour: $139
- 2 Hour Festive Walk Tour in Dallas: $269
- 2 Hours Downtown Austin Segway Tour: $90
- 2 hr Sunset Boat Cruise on Lake Austin. BYOB (Single Tickets): $86
- 3 HR I Slingshot Relaxing Open Road Self-Guided Tour: $149
- 3 Hour December Holiday Lights Tour: $110
- 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio: $99
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover Yosemite National Park: A Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $1.14
- Discover San Diego: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.14
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $4.93
- Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $4.95
- San Francisco Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $4.95
- Los Angeles: Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Golden Gate Bridge Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- UC Santa Cruz: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Kid Led Interactive AR Adventure in Presidio National Park: $5.00
- San Francisco Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Los Angeles Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTexas $19California $21
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
- Sip & Savor: Wine Tasting at Flat Creek Estate: $32
- Haunted History Pub Crawl & Walking Tour: $33
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl – Ghosts, Drinks & Historic Bars: $35
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Houston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Public Pedal Pub Tour in Austin: $39
- 1-Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting in Dallas: $40
- Stockyards History Tour Fort Worth Pub Crawl: $45
Sample the Local Flavors in California
Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Little Italy Pub Crawl: $30
- Hollywood Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience: $30
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- San Diego Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- Wine Tasting and Craft Experience in Laguna Beach: $55
- DIY Wine Tour Temecula (Private): $59
- Wine Tasting Around the World: $60
- Orange County Evening Harbor Wine Cruise Scenic Wine Tasting: $63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Texas and California, we can see that California 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 California would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in California 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 California Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Texas or California?
California has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Texas. When comparing the sizes of Texas and California, 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.