Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica or North Conway?
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 North Conway or Santa Monica?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway 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: North Conway or Santa Monica?
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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North Conway Prices
USA PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Conway $270Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $270, 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 North Conway and Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in North Conway 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: North Conway Hotel Prices and Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway
Also for North Conway, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $200
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 North Conway or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica and North Conway 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 dayNorth Conway $110Santa 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.North Conway $38Santa Monica $38
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
- Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
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
- City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
- 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
- Half Day Best of Los Angeles Tour from Santa Monica : $79
- Hidden Los Angeles Private Photo Tour - Best for social media: $164
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorth Conway $33Santa 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 North Conway and Santa Monica, we can see that North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive? and Is Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Santa Monica?
Santa Monica has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway 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 North Conway 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 North Conway or Santa Monica in the Summer?
Both Santa Monica and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
North Conway is around the same temperature as Santa Monica in the summer. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 69°F (20°C) in July, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Santa Monica. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 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 JulyNorth Conway 69°F (20°C)Santa Monica 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Santa Monica in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Santa Monica. Also, many travelers come to Santa Monica for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, North Conway is much colder than Santa Monica. Typically, the autumn temperatures in North Conway in October average around 49°F (9°C), and Santa Monica averages at about 67°F (20°C).
In October, North Conway usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 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 OctoberNorth Conway 49°F (9°C)Santa Monica 67°F (20°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Santa Monica in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as 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 North Conway. In January, North Conway is generally much colder than Santa Monica. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 21°F (-6°C), and Santa Monica fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
North Conway usually gets more rain in January than Santa Monica. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 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 JanuaryNorth Conway 21°F (-6°C)Santa Monica 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Santa Monica in the Spring?
Both Santa Monica and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches during these months.
North Conway is much colder than Santa Monica in the spring. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Santa Monica fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
In April, North Conway usually receives more rain than Santa Monica. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 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 AprilNorth Conway 43°F (6°C)Santa Monica 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Monica and North Conway
| North Conway | Santa Monica | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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.