Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Saint John's?
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 Saint John's or Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Barbara? 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: Saint John's or Santa Barbara?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
-
Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesSanta Barbara Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Santa Barbara $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $196. 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 Saint John's and Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Santa Barbara $88
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Santa Barbara? 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: Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Santa Barbara $42
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
-
Local Bus$1.52
-
Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
- Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $117Santa Barbara $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Santa Barbara $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Santa Barbara Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Santa Barbara CA: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Goleta Isla Vista CA: $15
- Santa Barbara Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Santa Barbara Trolley Tour: $28
- Sanctum Sacrifice of Santa Barbara Ghost Tours: $32
- Santa Barbara Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara: $40
- Santa Barbara Narrated Coastal Yacht Experience: $42
- Santa Barbara Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- High Ropes Adventure Course near Santa Barbara: $45
- Santa Barbara Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $49
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
-
Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl: $140
- Private Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $150
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $175
- Solvang Santa Ynez Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $180
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $239
- Santa Ynez Cupcake & Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $259
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour Experience - Authentic and Boutique : $265
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Santa Barbara, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Santa Barbara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Barbara is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Santa Barbara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Barbara 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Santa Barbara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Santa Barbara, 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 Saint John's or Santa Barbara?
Santa Barbara has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Santa Barbara. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
In the summer, Saint John's is a little warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 65°F (19°C).
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Santa Barbara. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Santa Barbara. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
Both Santa Barbara and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint John's is much warmer than Santa Barbara in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Barbara. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
Both Santa Barbara and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Santa Barbara. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Barbara averages at about 57°F (14°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Santa Barbara. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.