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:
- 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: $72
- San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $143
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Dallas Airport (DFW): $163
- Private Transfer: San Antonio City to San Antonio Airport SAT: $110
- Private Transfer in a Luxury Vehicle to and/or from SAT Airport: $50
- Private Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Port: $153
- Private Transfer from George Bush Airport(IAH) to Galveston Port: $217
- Private Transfer from Galveston Port to Houston Airport (HOU): $153
- Private Transfer from Galveston Port to George Bush Airport (IAH): $217
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco by Luxury SUV: $135
- Anaheim Resort Area to Long Beach Airport (LGB) - Departure Private Transfer: $68
- Anaheim to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Anaheim to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $129
- Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport LAX to Los Angeles in Luxury SUV: $222
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Car: $182
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Luxury Van: $150
- 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: $193
- Buena Park to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $76
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
- Pizza & Pours: Tasting & Lunch at Flat Creek Estate: $75
- Asian Dumplings Cooking Class in San Antonio: $75
- Downtown San Antonio Riverwalk Tamale Cooking Class: $80
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $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
- Epic Comedy Food Tour Austin Stand Up Comedy and Food Stops: $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:
- Ocean Beach Walking Food Tour in San Diego: $60
- Dinner In San Francisco: $63
- Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
- Tijuana Walking Street Food Tour with Wild Foodie Tours: $71
- Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $75
- Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
- Fun Gyoza Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Los Angeles: $75
- Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
- San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
- San Diego Pizza & Gelato Walking Tour in Little Italy Small Group: $80
- Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
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
- 1:00 PM Eco Tour and Dolphin Watch: $19
- 1hr Per Person Scenic Cruise on Lake Austin: $35
- 2 HR | Slingshot Gruene and River Road Self-guided Tour: $139
- 2 Hours Downtown Austin Segway Tour: $90
- 3 Hours Private Historic Sightseeing Tour in San Antonio: $99
- 3-Hour Ropes Course and Zip Line Adventure: $50
- 300 Years of San Antonio Cultural and Heritage Tour: $28
- 3:00 PM Eco Tour and Dolphin Watch: $19
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: $1.15
- Discover San Diego: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.15
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $1.15
- Los Angeles Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.50
- Pasadena Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.50
- Venice Beach: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.00
- Yountville Art Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided San Diego Walking or Bicycle Tour App: $5.00
- Los Angeles: Griffith Park Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Private Walking Berkeley: Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Coit Tower Hike Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $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
- Astonishing Bar Crawl in Houston Hustle: $15
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Plano: $15
- River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- 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
- Houston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
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
- Awesome Bar Crawl in Santa Monica: $15
- Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Sonoma County Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $30
- Paso Robles Aria (Syrah Dominant) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30
- Hillcrest: LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl with Local Drag Queen: $35
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles: $39
- Napa Valley Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
- Paso Robles Self-Guided Wine Tour: GPS Audio Driving Guide: $40
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.