Which place is cheaper, Ontario or California?
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 California or Ontario?
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 California and Ontario. 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: California or Ontario?
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.
Ontario
Chances are when you think of Canada, the things that come to mind are all located in the province of Ontario. Ontario has the highest population of any province in the country, and is the heart of Canadian tourism. As the home of Toronto, Niagara Falls and Lake Superior, this area is a major tourist destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.
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California Prices
USA PricesOntario Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCalifornia $284Ontario $14,222
The average daily cost (per person) in California is $284, while the average daily cost in Ontario is $14,222. 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 California and Ontario in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCalifornia $116Ontario $7,722
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCalifornia $232Ontario $
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Compare Hotels in California and Ontario
Looking for a hotel in California or Ontario? 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.California $42Ontario $2,216
Hired Cars and Shuttles in California
Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Los Angeles Private Transfers to LAX: $300
- Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation : $300
- Departure Transfer: Los Angeles to Airport LAX by Luxury Car: $299
- Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $299
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to PALM SPRINGS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $299
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer : $294
- Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $287
- Los Angeles port to Long Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $282
- Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
- Long Beach Airport (LGB) to Los Angeles port Round-Trip Transfer: $280
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $280
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ontario
Also for Ontario, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Toronto APT-HTL (YYZ): $111
- Transfer from Toronto City Center to Pearson Airport(YYZ): $53
- Transfer from Pearson Airport(YYZ) to Toronto City Center: $53
- Transfer from Niagara Falls,Canada to Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF): $101
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada: $177
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada: $176
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada: $160
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls, Canada: $160
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada to Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF): $106
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $176
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $158
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $176
Is it cheaper to fly into California or Ontario?
Prices for flights to both Ontario and California 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 dayCalifornia $79Ontario $4,568
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California
For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $70
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $74
- Melting Pot of the Mission District Food Tour: $74
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
- 2 Hour Ravioli Cooking Class With Local Chef in San Diego : $75
- Pirates Dinner Adventure Buena Park: $76
- Tijuana Street Food Tour for Foodies: $79
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- Carlsbad Food Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
- Mission District or North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tours: $85
- North Park San Diego Walking Food Tour: $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ontario
For Ontario, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Downtown London Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
- Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
- Toronto's First Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $73
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- Ottawa Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $76
- Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $77
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $80
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $81
- Walking Food Tour with Professional Comedian Guide: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.California $69Ontario $1,547
Tours and Activities in California
For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Private Tour in Malibu Majesty: $35
- Clear Kayak Paddle Tour at Cave Rock: $110
- Day Tour to Kings Canyon National Park: $275
- Electric Bike Tour De San Francisco: $100
- Experience American Football at Levi's Stadium: $191
- Explore San Francisco Napa Sacramento Oakland Black Exp Car Tour: $244
- Gaslamp Quarter to Little Italy Tour: $39
- Guided Hiking Tour in Big Bear with Sunset Champagne toast on Private Dock: $75
- Guided Meditation and Mountain Hike Tour in San Diego: $62
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles Private Tour: $249
- Maritime Museum of San Diego Admission Ticket: $28
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
Tours and Activities in Ontario
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ontario.
- Casual Tour of Toronto by Land, Sky and Sea: $110
- Fireworks & Falls Glow Walking Tour Canada + Skylon Tower : $48
- Historic Brothels of Old Toronto Walking Tour: $21
- Whirlpool Adventure Course ~ Kids Course: $22
- 1 Day Canoeing Tour in Algonquin Park: $99
- 1 Day City Sightseeing Tour at Toronto City: $69
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $44
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $296
- 1-Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration: $24
- 1-hour Walking Tour of Kingston with a local historian: $22
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $240
- 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $58
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCalifornia $21Ontario $876
Sample the Local Flavors in California
Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Self Guided Tour and Bar Crawl in Chinatown San Francisco: $6.99
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Long Beach Boss Bar Crawl: $12
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- Palm Springs Bar Crawl: $15
- Scavenger Adventure and Lake Tahoe Bar Crawl: $15
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
- Vintner's Private Wine Tasting Experience: $20
- San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $29
- 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
Sample the Local Flavors in Ontario
Also in Ontario, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Toronto Distillery District: Whisky Exploration Game and Tour: $7.16
- Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Take On Toronto Bar Crawl: $15
- Between The Lines Classic Wine Tasting: $18
- Toronto Distillery District Walking Tour: $21
- Summer Sips - Private Outdoor Wine Tasting Experience: $22
- Black Glass Wine Tasting: $23
- Niagara's Decadent Sparkling and Icewine Tasting: $23
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $26
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $29
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and Ontario, we can see that Ontario is more expensive. And not only is California much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to California would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in California 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 Ontario would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ontario than you might in California.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is Ontario Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, California or Ontario?
California has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Ontario. When comparing the sizes of California and Ontario, 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.