A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Austin vs. Santa Cruz for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Austin or Santa Cruz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Santa Cruz, 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.

Austin

Austin is a eccentric, unconventional, and lively city. It's also a big city with many activities. Austin is a very beautiful destination, too. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Austin travel costs.

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is a coastal, scenic, and laid back town. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Santa Cruz travel costs.

Austin and Santa Cruz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Austin or Santa Cruz?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Austin than Santa Cruz, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Austin is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Santa Cruz is known for its beaches and hiking. Santa Cruz is more touristy than Austin and is known for its dramatic coastline, fun-filled boardwalk, and beautiful beaches. Austin is popular for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. It is also home to The Texas Capital.

How is Austin different from Santa Cruz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Cruz and Austin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Austin or Santa Cruz?

Austin is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Austin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Santa Cruz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Local museums in town include the Surfing Museum, Seymour Marine Discovery Center, and Santa Cruz Mission.

Is the Food Better in Austin or Santa Cruz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Austin is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Austin is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

Santa Cruz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Sampling local seafood is a top priority for many visitors. Most restaurants have a casual vibe and serve up high quality dishes in a relaxed setting. You'll find cafes, Mexican food, and Italian eateries among other options.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Nightlife?

Austin is very popular for nightlife. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife and partying.

Austin is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Santa Cruz has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. You'll find a range of nighttime options around town that include live entertainment, bars, clubs, and even a casino.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Music?

Austin is very popular for live music. However, Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Austin is a world class music destination. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Santa Cruz is not a live music destination.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Beaches?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Santa Cruz. The beaches are beautiful and fun. Head to Main Beach for the most activity. This is where you'll find the town's boardwalk, which has a historic carousel and several classic amusement rides. For a more peaceful and scenic spot, check out Natural Bridges State Beach or Seacliff State Beach.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Hiking?

Santa Cruz is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

Santa Cruz has hiking trails worth exploring. There are several great parks in the area and trails that follow along the rugged coastline or go through the impressive redwood forests.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Austin or Santa Cruz?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Santa Cruz and Austin.

Austin is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Santa Cruz. Downtown Santa Cruz is where you'll find some of the best shopping.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz More Beautiful?

Austin is a moderate city for its scenery and beauty. However, Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Austin is a very beautiful destination, too. The city has some nearby natural beauty as well as an eclectic style.

Santa Cruz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Families?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Cruz is a very family-friendly place to visit. It's filled with beaches, parks, playgrounds, and museums that kids and adults will enjoy. Highlights for many families include visiting the boardwalk, playing around at Seacliff State Beach, entertaining the kids at Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab, and taking in the beauty at Natural Bridges State Beach.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Couples?

Santa Cruz is a great destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Santa Cruz frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Dining in downtown Santa Cruz, hiking through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, and relaxing on the beach at Natural Bridges State Beach all make for a romantic getaway.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin is notable for backpackers. Also, Santa Cruz is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Santa Cruz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a laid back vibe that is fun to experience and there's even a hostel in town.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Students?

Austin is notable for students. However, Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Austin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Santa Cruz is not popular with students.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Austin and Santa Cruz.

Public transit is generally limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Santa Cruz. There are buses that travel around town.

Is Austin or Santa Cruz a more walkable city?

Santa Cruz is a world-class destination for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Getting around Santa Cruz on foot is easy. It's considered to be one of the most walkable cities in California.

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Austin Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Cruz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Cruz or Austin?

How long in Austin or Santa Cruz?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Austin or Santa Cruz to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Austin than Santa Cruz because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Austin, and 1-2 days is enough time in Santa Cruz.

Families should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Austin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Cruz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Cruz than Austin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Cruz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Austin than Santa Cruz if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Austin.

One day in Austin or Santa Cruz?

With live music and food around the eccentric city of Austin, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Austin or Santa Cruz?

With food and shopping around the destination of Austin, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Santa Cruz is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Austin or Santa Cruz?

Austin, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Cruz. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Austin or Santa Cruz?

Austin is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Santa Cruz. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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.

When comparing the travel costs between Austin and Santa Cruz, we can see that Austin 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.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Austin Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Austin or Santa Cruz?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Austin and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Austin and Santa Cruz. Many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Austin is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 87°F (30°C) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

In July, Austin usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Austin or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Austin as well as Santa Cruz. Most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Santa Cruz because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Austin is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Austin in October average around 73°F (23°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).

Austin usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Austin gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Austin or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Austin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In January, Austin is generally around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Austin average around 51°F (11°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

In January, Austin usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Austin or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

Both Santa Cruz and Austin during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the beaches.

Austin is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Austin usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Austin gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Austin