Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Moab?
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 Moab or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Moab or Kailua-Kona? 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: Moab or Kailua-Kona?
Moab
Moab is the closest town to Arches National Park in Utah's Canyon Country. It is also a popular base for exploring Canyonlands National Park. It's a small town that serves mainly to accommodate tourists to the popular national parks and other surrounding wildlife areas. It has grown dramatically in recent years and has a population of just over 5,000. In town you will find hotels and motels, a handful of restaurants and a few shops where you can stock up on supplies. There's a small museum, the Museum of Moab, and a variety of tour operators in town. You can easily book river rafting trips, jeep expeditions, and tours of the surrounding area. For many, exploring Arches National Park on your own is a more enjoyable and independent experience.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
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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Moab Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoab $416Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Moab is $416, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Moab and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoab $336Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoab $672Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Moab and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Moab or Kailua-Kona? 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: Moab Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moab $17Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Moab or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Moab 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 dayMoab $64Kailua-Kona $100
Typical Food Prices in Moab
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Moab:
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Moab Brewery$42
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Breakfast for Two$17
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moab
For Moab, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show: $108
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moab $3.13Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moab
For Moab, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Slickrock Trail Pass$5.00
Tours and Activities in Moab
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Moab.
- Arches National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self Guided Audio Tour Bundle for Utah's Mighty Five: $30
- Utah Mighty 5 National Parks Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours: $33
- BEST! Hell's Revenge U-Drive 4X4 Tour in Moab +Dinosaur Tracks!: $48
- Hell's Revenge 4x4 Off-Roading Tour from Moab: $49
- US Classic Southwest Adventure Self Guided Audio Tours: $72
- 30+ National Parks Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $85
- BEST! Catacomb *CAVES* U-Drive 4X4 UTV Tour in Moab +Petroglyphs!: $89
- Flatwater Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour on Colorado River: $95
- Hell's Revenge Hummer Adventure: $97
- Moab’s Original Hummer Adventure: Hell’s Revenge Trail Experience: $99
- Moab’s #1 Rated Guided U-Drive Hell’s Revenge Off-Road Tour: $99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoab $66Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moab and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Kailua-Kona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kailua-Kona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kailua-Kona 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Kailua-Kona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moab Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moab or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Moab and Kailua-Kona, 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.