Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Hot Springs or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Los Angeles? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Los Angeles?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
-
Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesLos Angeles Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Los Angeles $300
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $300. 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 Hot Springs and Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Los Angeles $138
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Los Angeles? 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Los Angeles $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
-
Hotel Parking for a Day$22
-
Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Los Angeles Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Los Angeles: $32
- Los Angeles Airport LAX Transfer to Long Beach Hollywood Irvine: $33
- Los Angeles:Private Airport Transfers to/from LA or Disney: $36
- LAX Private Airport Transfer: $41
- Los Angeles to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Anaheim - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Los Angeles Airport (LAX) to Long Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Los Angeles Private Transfer to or from Hollywood.: $63
- Garden Groove to John Wayne Airport (SNA) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Garden Groove - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX): $66
- Shared Airport Arrival Transfer: LAX International Airport to Anaheim, Buena Park or Garden Grove: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles and Hot Springs 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
-
Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Los Angeles $104
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
-
Burritos for Two$15
-
Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
- West LA Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Santa Monica Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $70
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- The Immigrant & Historic Businesses of Silver Lake Food Tour: $89
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach: $94
- Marina Del Rey: Romantic Cruise, Dinner Charcuterie or Sushi: $99
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $99
- Marina Del Rey: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $101
- Hollywood Night Tour with Dinner & Comedy Show: $105
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Los Angeles $84
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
-
Bowling$13
-
Hollywood Tour for Two$30
-
Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour in Los Angeles' Best-Kept Secrets: $3.59
- Santa Monica: Self-guided Bike Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- Hollywood Boulevard’s Haunting History and Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Los Angeles Downtown Scavenger Hunt Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.20
- Pasadena Puzzle Adventure: Stop the Bomb!: $7.20
- LA Little Tokyo to Olvera St Smartphone (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $7.50
- Pasadena Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $7.74
- Secrets of Venice Boardwalk: Self-Guided Puzzle Adventure in LA: $8.42
- Beverly Hills on Foot Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Pasadena by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Experience in Fontana by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles : $39
- LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
- 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Los Angeles, 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 Hot Springs or Los Angeles?
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 Hot Springs or Los Angeles in the Summer?
Both Los Angeles and Hot Springs during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in July than Los Angeles. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Los Angeles in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Los Angeles. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.
Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Los Angeles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
In October, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Los Angeles in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Los Angeles. Additionally, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much colder than Los Angeles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Los Angeles averages at about 55°F (13°C).
Hot Springs usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Los Angeles. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Los Angeles in the Spring?
Both Los Angeles and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
It's quite rainy in Hot Springs. In April, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Los Angeles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 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.