Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Salt Lake City and Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Salt Lake City or Kailua-Kona?
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is the capital city of Utah and one of the largest cities in the southwest region of the US. Salt Lake sits on the border between the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin regions, making it the perfect place for outdoor activities. The city's natural beauty and resources even became the focal point for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Salt Lake experiences all four seasons, with the most popular times to visit being summer and winter. Summer, June-August, sees little rain and temperatures in the high 80's Fahrenheit. Winter, December-March, has temperatures in the 30's Fahrenheit and gets the perfect amount of snow for winter sports.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Salt Lake City Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalt Lake City $282Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Salt Lake City is $282, 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 Salt Lake City and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalt Lake City $119Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalt Lake City $238Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Salt Lake City and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Salt Lake City 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: Salt Lake City Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salt Lake City $45Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City
Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36
- Private Transfer: Hotels to SLC Airport: $45
- Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $132
- Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City hotel or address: $286
- Private Transfer from SLC to Park City UT : $286
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 Salt Lake City or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Salt Lake City 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 daySalt Lake City $86Kailua-Kona $100
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.Salt Lake City $28Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City
For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Utah Jazz Basketball Game Ticket: $6.55
- Utah Jazz Basketball Game Ticket at Delta Center: $8.02
- Mormon History Salt Lake Self-Guided Audio app Walking Tour: $9.75
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Salt Lake City by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Salt Lake City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Walking Tour in Salt Lake City: $20
- Shadows of Old Salt Lake Walking Tour: $23
- Salt Lake Ghost Tour: Salt, Spooks, & Shadows: $24
- Salt Lake City Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Salt Lake City Haunted Old Town Tour: $25
- Salt Lake City Historical Walking Tour of the City of Zion : $32
- The City of Zion Walking Tour: $32
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 daySalt Lake City $17Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Salt Lake City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salt Lake City:
- Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour: $20
When comparing the travel costs between Salt Lake City and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Salt Lake City or Kailua-Kona?
Salt Lake City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Salt Lake City 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.