Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Austin?
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 Austin or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Kailua-Kona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Austin or Kailua-Kona?
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Austin Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAustin $167Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Austin is $167, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Austin and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAustin $56Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAustin $112Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Austin and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Austin or Kailua-Kona? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Austin Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Austin $47Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
- AUS Airport Private Transfer to Austin(downtown): $70
- Private Transfer Between Airport and Hotels: $80
- Private Transfer Austin Airport AUS to Austin City: $100
- Private Transfer in a Luxury Vehicle to and/or from AUS Airport: $125
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $242
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Austin or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Austin 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 dayAustin $60Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in Austin: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Tap Room in Austin: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Tap Room: $75
- Street Art and Street Food Tour: $85
- Austin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Austin South Congress Food Tour +6 Tastings, Local BBQ & Sweets: $99
- Austin Taco Tasting Walking Food Tour (Small Group): $99
- Downtown Food Tour with 6+ Tastings of Local Flavors: $104
- South Congress District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $115
- Austin Small-Group BBQ Walking Food Tour: $129
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Austin $28Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Austin Duck Tour$31
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Austin's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided Audio App Walking Tour : $9.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Austin by Wacky Walks: $10
- Ultimate cat experience at Austin's only cat cafe: $16
- 3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!: $22
- Downtown Austin Haunted History Tour: $24
- Austin Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- KuneKune Pig Farm Tour: $25
- Ha Ha Haunted Austin Walking Ghost Tour: $26
- Hauntings, Apparitions & Ashes of Austin Ghost Tour: $27
- Wonderspaces Interactive Art Exhibition Entry Ticket: $27
- Haunted Austin Walking History Tour: $28
- Family-Friendly Ghosts of Austin Tour: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAustin $28Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
- Austin’s Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Austin Bar Crawl: Austin's 6th Street Bar Crawl: $43
- Austin 6th Street Bar Crawl | The Epic Group: $43
- Public Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Austin: $54
- East Austin Brewery Tour by Pedicab: $65
- At-Home Private Wine or NA Wine Tasting Experience in Austin: $75
- Street Art and Brewery Bike Tour: $77
- 4-Hour Austin Signature Brewery Tour: $100
- Brewery Tour with Live Music and Beer Tastings: $130
- Brewery 5K Fun Run, BBQ, and Texas History Museum in Austin : $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Austin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Austin Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Austin or Kailua-Kona?
Austin has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Austin and Kailua-Kona, 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.
When is the best time to visit Austin or Kailua-Kona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Austin or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Austin and Kailua-Kona. The summer months attract visitors to Austin because of the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Austin is a little warmer than Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 87°F (30°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Austin usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Austin gets 318 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Austin usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAustin 87°F (30°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Austin or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Austin as well as Kailua-Kona. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Austin this time of year.
In the autumn, Austin is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Austin in October average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Austin this time of the year. In the autumn, Austin often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Austin usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAustin 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Austin or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Austin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Austin for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Austin is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Austin average around 51°F (11°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Austin usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Austin gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Austin usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAustin 51°F (11°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Austin or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Austin during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Austin in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Austin is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Austin. In the spring, Austin often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Austin usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Austin gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAustin 71°F (22°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Austin
| Austin | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (29°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 87°F (30°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 73°F (23°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.