Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Pittsburgh?
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 Pittsburgh or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pittsburgh or Kailua-Kona, 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: Pittsburgh or Kailua-Kona?
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania at the junction of 3 rivers. Set between the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, and a mountain ridge called Mt Washington, Pittsburgh has a unique character that is evident from the moment you arrive. Juxtaposed with the rumbling freight trains and the iconic bridges are the Bladerunner-esque self-driving Uber vehicles, scanning the roads with spinning Lidar scanners. Its Gilded Age sites, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, speak to its history as an early-20th-century industrial capital. In the North Shore neighborhood are the modern Andy Warhol Museum, Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Experiencing periods of boom and bust since its founding, the city is in a boom now, and it's a fun place to visit, with top-notch museums, great gardens and parks, and amazing food.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Pittsburgh Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPittsburgh $220Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Pittsburgh is $220, 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 Pittsburgh and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPittsburgh $106Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPittsburgh $212Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Pittsburgh and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Pittsburgh 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: Pittsburgh Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pittsburgh $22Kailua-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 Pittsburgh or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Pittsburgh 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 dayPittsburgh $94Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Handmade Sushi Cooking Class With Local Chef in Pittsburgh: $75
- Downtown Pittsburgh Hidden Eats Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $95
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.Pittsburgh $38Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.
- Pittsburgh's Downtown Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour : $9.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pittsburgh by Crazy Dash: $10
- Smartphone-Guided Tour of Downtown Pittsburgh Sights & Stories: $28
- Echoes from the Iron Forge: Pittsburgh Phantoms Ghost Tour: $32
- Reel Pittsburgh Movie Tour: $33
- Black & Gold Sunset Tour: $33
- Best of the Burgh Walking Tour of Pittsburgh: $33
- Black & Ghost Tour: $33
- Holiday Lights Tour: $33
- JUST THE TOUR - Double Decker bus sightseeing tour of Pittsburgh.: $45
- Whiskey Rebellion & Prohibition Tour: $45
- HOP ON-HOP OFF TOUR PASS- All Day Sightseeing Tour Pass: $50
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 dayPittsburgh $33Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Pittsburgh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:
- Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
- Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
- Beers in the Burgh: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $69
- Bikes & Brews Tour: Pittsburgh Brewery Tour: $89
- Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pittsburgh and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Pittsburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pittsburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pittsburgh 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Pittsburgh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pittsburgh Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pittsburgh or Kailua-Kona?
Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Pittsburgh 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.