Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz? 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 Thomas or Santa Cruz?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
Santa Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesSanta Cruz Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Santa Cruz $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $156. 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 Thomas and Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz? 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 Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Santa Cruz $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $94Santa Cruz $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz.
- Capitola Friday Night Food Tour: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Santa Cruz $18
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $220
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups: $110
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided Electric Bike Tour (eBike): $110
- Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour : $110
- Guided eBike Tour: $120
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Santa Cruz $8.57
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Wine Tasting Experience: $25
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Santa Cruz, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Cruz 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 Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Santa Cruz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Santa Cruz Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas and Santa Cruz, 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 Thomas or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz and Saint Thomas during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Santa Cruz in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Santa Cruz. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
Both Santa Cruz and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Santa Cruz | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 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.