Should you visit Washington or San Francisco?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Washington
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
Which city is cheaper, San Francisco or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $155, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $172. 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 Washington and San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
Double occupancy rooms typically run around $182 in Washington For nicer amenities and a premiere location, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in San Francisco can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $103, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $206.
Food
The average traveler spends about $30 per day in Washington for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
On average, meal and food prices in San Francisco cost around $32 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 $13.
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Food
Meals for one day
Washington $30
San Francisco $32
Typical Food prices in Washington
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
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Water
$2.00
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Snacks on Monuments Tour
$6.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Washington
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Washington D.C.: 3.5-Hour Georgetown Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC: 3-Hour Italian Food Tour:
$65
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Washington DC Food Tour: Italian Cuisine in Dupont Circle:
$65
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Adams Morgan Food Tour:
$76
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Lonely Planet Experiences: DC Morning Food Tour on H Street:
$79
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Washington DC: Private Food Tour Experience:
$79
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Capitol Hill Walking Food Tour:
$79
-
Washington, DC: The Original Brew Tour with Tasting & Dinner:
$81
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U Street Neighborhood Food Tour:
$89
-
Washington DC Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$100
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Private French Cooking Class with an Expert in the Heart of Washington DC:
$108
-
Washington, DC 3-Hour Dinner Buffet Cruise:
$122
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide:
$15
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Traveling Spoon Pad Thai and Papaya Salad Private Online Cooking Class:
$25
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Lonely Planet Experiences: North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour:
$66
-
North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour:
$69
-
Mission District Walking Food Tour:
$75
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San Francisco North Beach Food Tour:
$75
-
Cooking with Ale: let's make Tiramisu - private groups:
$80
-
San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market:
$80
-
Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour:
$82
-
American Cooking Class in San Francisco with a Local near Golden Gate Park:
$82
-
San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour:
$89
-
Russian Hill Gourmet Food Tour:
$97
Local Transportation
To get around in Washington, the average visitor spends $37 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
San Francisco'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 $13 per person, per day on transportation in San Francisco.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Washington
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Washington
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Washington to New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$535
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Washington to New York J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) - Departure Private Transfer:
$535
-
Washington City to New York City - Private Car Transfer:
$516
-
Washington to Newark International Airport (EWR) - Departure Private Transfer:
$491
-
Washington City to Philadelphia City - Private Car Transfer:
$392
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Washington, DC: Potomac Mills Outlet Private Transfer:
$357
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Private transfer from or to IAD , DCA , PHL , MDT airports , VA and Philadelphia:
$320
-
Washington Airport Transfers: Washington to Dulles Airport IAD in Luxury Car:
$218
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Washington, DC: Private Airport Transfer(SUV): To or From: (DCA) Reagan National:
$180
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Washington City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer:
$168
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Airport Transfer to and from Dulles International IAD Airport:
$160
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Departure Private Transfers: Washington to Baltimore Airport BWI in Luxury Van:
$159
Typical Local Transportation prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO
$45
-
Golden Gate Bridge Toll
$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour
$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from San Fransisco City To Carmel-by-the-Sea.:
$450
-
Carmel 1-Way Transfer to/from San Francisco Airport:
$410
-
Private transfer from SFO to or from Sacramento (SUV):
$400
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Private Airport Transfer From SFO to San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf:
$395
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Private Airport Transfer from SFO To Carmel-by-the-Sea.:
$370
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Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport:
$310
-
Private Airport Transfer from SFO to Yountville, Napa Valley:
$300
-
Private Airport Transfer From SFO to Napa Valley:
$270
-
SFO Roundtrip Airport Hotel Transfer:
$267
-
Private Airport Transfer from SFO to Sonoma Valley:
$255
-
Private Transfer from SFO to Napa:
$235
-
Private One-Way Airport Transfer:
$220
Is it cheaper to fly into Washington or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Washington 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
In Washington, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in San Francisco can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $37 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Washington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
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"HEROES OF FREEDOM" PRIVATE TOUR (4 Hour Military Tribute):
$658
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"SHINING CITY" PRIVATE TOUR (3 Hour Evening Tour):
$658
-
2 Day Grand Tour with George Washington's Mount Vernon:
$95
-
2-Day Colonial Williamsburg Guided Tour from Washington DC:
$330
-
24/48-Hour Washington, D.C. Hop-on Hop-off Tour:
$49
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3-Hour "DC After Dark" Night-Time Guided Bus Tour with Stops at Top Attractions:
$35
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3-Hour Private Jeep Tour of Washington D.C.:
$495
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3-Hour Washington DC "Monuments By Night" Guided Night-Time Sightseeing Bus Tour:
$49
-
3-Hour Washington DC "Morning Monuments" Guided Sightseeing Walking & Bus Tour:
$64
-
3-Hour Washington, D.C Urban Adventure Scavenger Hunt:
$44
-
30-Minutes Supercar Driving Pilot Experience in Washington DC:
$275
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Advance Tickets to Washington, D.C.'s Newseum:
$24
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
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1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$55
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1-Day Small-Group Napa Valley Tour for Wine Lovers:
$209
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1-Hour Golden Gate and Lombard GoRide Scooter Tour:
$54
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1.5-Hour Waterfront Mini Segway Tour:
$55
-
1HR San Francisco Chinatown and Downtown GoCar Tour:
$71
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2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$79
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2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Alcatraz:
$150
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2-Day Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour from San Francisco:
$569
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2-Day San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Night Tour:
$79
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2-Day Yosemite National Park Tour from San Francisco:
$499
-
2-Day Yosemite National Park Winter Tour from San Francisco:
$589
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2-Hour San Francisco Bay Happy Hour & Cocktail Cruises:
$35
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Washington, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Francisco, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Sample the Local Flavors in Washington
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
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Epic Washington DC Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
-
Haunted Washington D.C. Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
DC: 'New York Times Journeys' Walking Tour with Beer, Cheese and Wine Tasting:
$120
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NOVA Private Custom Wine Tours & Tasting from DMV:
$645
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6 Hours Northern VA Wine Tour:
$920
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
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San Francisco Bar Hunt: Soul of San Francisco Bar Crawl:
$12
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3-Hour Pub Crawl in San Francisco:
$18
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San Francisco North Beach Pub Tour:
$58
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San Francisco North Beach Pub Crawl:
$60
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From Tri-Valley Half-Day Wine Tour:
$75
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Half-Day Sonoma Wine Tour:
$100
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San Francisco City & Wine tour:
$115
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Shore Excursion: Napa and Sonoma Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience Full-Day Tour:
$135
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Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch:
$135
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Full-Day Muir Woods with Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour:
$135
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Chariot wine tour:
$145
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Viticulture with Charm: Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco:
$149
When comparing the travel costs between Washington and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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