Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica?
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.
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 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.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, 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 Hot Springs and Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Santa Monica $50
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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
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Food Meals for one dayHot Springs $90Santa 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.
- 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.Hot Springs $30Santa Monica $38
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
- Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
- LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
- Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
- Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56
- Best of LA Tour with 3 Iconic Stops: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Santa 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
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Santa Monica?
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 Hot Springs or Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In the summer, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 70°F (21°C).
In July, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
Both Santa Monica and Hot Springs during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.
In October, Hot Springs is generally cooler than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 67°F (20°C).
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Santa Monica. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Santa Monica. Also, many visitors come to Santa Monica in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is much colder than Santa Monica in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Santa Monica in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Santa Monica. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Santa Monica. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 61°F (16°C).
Hot Springs receives a lot of rain in the spring. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Santa Monica. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Santa Monica receives 0.2 inches (4 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 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.