Which place is cheaper, Hawaii or Montana?
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 Montana or Hawaii?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montana or Hawaii, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Montana or Hawaii?
Montana
Often called Big Sky Country for its vast blue skies, Montana is a state in the northwestern United States characterized by beautiful sweeping scenery from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the flatter prairie regions of the east. Some of the top attractions include Glacier National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Yellowstone, and of course the Rocky Mountains.
Hawaii
Located towards the center of the Pacific Ocean and the northeast corner of Polynesia, Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America. It is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the world and as such, its economy is very dependent on the tourist dollar. Historically, the state had strong whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, but today tourism and the military make up a significant part of the economy. The state includes many islands that spread over 1,500 miles, but there are eight main islands which have a diversity of natural beauty and interesting landscapes. The islands offer visitors many impressive features from the beautiful beaches to the lush interior. There is a lot of hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving available throughout the islands. The capital of the state is Honolulu, which is also the largest city. Both Hawaiian and English are spoken throughout.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
-
Montana Prices
USA PricesHawaii Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontana $153Hawaii $393
The average daily cost (per person) in Montana is $153, while the average daily cost in Hawaii is $393. 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 Montana and Hawaii in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontana $49Hawaii $214
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontana $98Hawaii $428
Compare Hotels in Montana and Hawaii
Looking for a hotel in Montana or Hawaii? 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
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montana $65Hawaii $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hawaii
Also for Hawaii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Your Island Welcome: Private KOA Airport Transfers: $40
- Waikoloa beach hotels to Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- VIP Private Maui OGG Departure Transfer Black Cadillac Escalade: $259
- VIP Private Maui OGG Arrival Transfer in Black Cadillac Escalade: $259
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $47
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Maui Kahului Airport: $16
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $16
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $25
- Round Trip Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu City: $55
- Private Transfer: Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Sedan: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Montana or Hawaii?
Prices for flights to both Hawaii and Montana 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 dayMontana $49Hawaii $128
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
- Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, Kauaʻi : $129
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $140
- Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise : $150
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $158
- Coast of Ka'anapali Beach Sunset Dinner Sail : $158
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montana $38Hawaii $38
Tours and Activities in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
- Akaka Falls Tour - Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Discovery: $179
- Guided Kayak Tour to Kailua’s Twin Islands: $219
- Kauai Airplane Tour: Na Pali Coast, Waterfalls & Window Seats: $159
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $100
- Waikiki Two Tank Guided Scuba Diving Adventure: Certified Diver: $249
- 'Imiloa Express Na Pali Sunset Tour: $190
- 'Imiloa Express Nā Pali Snorkel Tour : $212
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- "Capture Memories: One-Hour Photography Experience at Waikiki": $150
- 1-Hour 3 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $109
- 10 Bar Hawaiian Craft Chocolate Tasting Experience : $75
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontana $11Hawaii $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Hawaii
Also in Hawaii, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15
- Brewery and Beach Cruise in a Vintage VW Bus : $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montana and Hawaii, we can see that Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Montana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montana 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 Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hawaii than you might in Montana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montana Expensive? and Is Hawaii Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Montana or Hawaii?
Hawaii has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Montana. When comparing the sizes of Montana and Hawaii, 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.