Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica or Duck Key?
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 Duck Key or Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Duck Key and Santa Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Duck Key or Santa Monica?
Duck Key
If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Duck Key Prices
USA PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDuck Key $175Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Duck Key is $175, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Duck Key and Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDuck Key $56Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDuck Key $112Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Duck Key and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Duck Key or Santa Monica? 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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Duck Key $69Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Duck Key or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica and Duck Key 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 dayDuck Key $77Santa Monica $91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- Flavors of Venice Beach Food Tour By Junket: $74
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Duck Key $30Santa Monica $38
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- 1934 Classic MotorSailer Experience Timeless Elegance and History: $240
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- 3 Hour Private Jeep Tour of Santa Monica: $200
- 4-Hour Los Angeles Tour With Guide And Hotel Pickup: $131
- Bring Your Own Beverages One Hour Harbor Cruise: $80
- City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
- City Cruises Marina del Rey: Sights and Sips Cruise Tour : $69
- City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
- E-Boat Ride in Marina Del Rey Boat Tour Experience: $85
- Exotic Tijuana Massage Tour in LA: $250
- Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops: $99
- Greater Los Angeles and Hollywood Private Tour.: $298
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDuck Key $7.99Santa Monica $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
- Vintage VW Hippie Shared Tour to Malibu with Wine Tasting: $199
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Duck Key and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica is more expensive. And not only is Duck Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Duck Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Duck Key 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica than you might in Duck Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Duck Key Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Duck Key or Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Duck Key and Santa Monica, 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 Duck Key or Santa Monica?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Duck Key or Santa Monica in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Duck Key as well as Santa Monica. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Duck Key is a little warmer than Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Duck Key usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. Duck Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDuck Key 84°F (29°C)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
Both Santa Monica and Duck Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In the autumn, Duck Key is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Duck Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Duck Key. In October, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Duck Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDuck Key 80°F (27°C)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Santa Monica in the Winter?
Both Santa Monica and Duck Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Duck Key is generally a little warmer than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Duck Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Duck Key usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. Duck Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDuck Key 70°F (21°C)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Duck Key or Santa Monica in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck Key and Santa Monica. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the spring for the beaches.
Duck Key is much warmer than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in Duck Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
In April, Duck Key usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Duck Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDuck Key 77°F (25°C)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Duck Key
| Duck Key | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.