Should I Visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive? | Budget Your Trip (2024)

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• Which is Cheaper, Los Angeles or Palm Springs? (Travel Cost Comparison)
• Which is Bigger, Los Angeles or Palm Springs?
• When to Visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

Should you visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Los Angeles and Palm Springs. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.

Palm Springs

Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs or Los Angeles?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

• Los Angeles Prices
  USA Prices

  Palm Springs Prices
  USA Prices

• Average Daily CostPer person, per day

  Los Angeles$258

  Palm Springs$206

The average daily cost (per person) in Los Angeles is $258, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $206. 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 Los Angeles and Palm Springs in more detail.

Accommodation

• AccommodationHotel or hostel for one person

  Los Angeles$140

  Palm Springs$120

• AccommodationTypical double-occupancy room

  Los Angeles$280

  Palm Springs$240

Compare Hotels in Los Angeles and Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel in Los Angeles or Palm Springs? 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:Los Angeles Hotel Prices and Palm Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

• Local TransportationTaxis, local buses, subway, etc.

  Los Angeles$42

  Palm Springs$52

Typical Local Transportation prices in Los Angeles

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:

• Hotel Parking for a Day

  $22

• Taxi to Airport

  $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles

Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

• One-way Private Airport Transfer in Los Angeles:$10
• John Wayne Airport (SNA) Private Transfer from or to Los Angeles.:$28
• One Way Transfer: Los Angeles from /to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) :$29
• Hollywood Private Transfer to/from Universal Studios or Burbank.:$39
• Private Arrival Transfer from Los Angeles Airport LAX:$39
• Private Departure Transfer to Los Angeles Airport LAX:$39
• Private Departure Transfer to Burbank Airport (BUR):$40
• Private Arrival Transfer from Burbank Airport (BUR):$40
• San Pedro Cruise Center Private Transfer from or to Los Angeles:$47
• Transfer in private car from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Los Angeles Downtown:$50
• San Diego Private Transfer To or From Universal Studios/Burbank.:$55
• Los Angeles Private Transfer to or from Hollywood.:$60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

• Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario:$268
• Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA :$162
• Private Transfer from PSP to SANTA ANA :$335
• Private Transfer from PSP to Palm Desert / Indian Wells:$139
• Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs:$200
• Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Arrival Private Transfer:$131
• Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO -Round-Trip Private Transfer:$215
• Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO - Arrival Private Transfer:$107
• Palm Springs Airport to Snow Summit - Round-Trip Private Transfer:$268
• Palm Springs Airport to Desert Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer:$179
• Palm Springs Airport PSP to Snow Summit-Arrival Private Transfer:$134
• Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to PALM SPRINGS - Round-Trip Private Transfer:$161

Is it cheaper to fly into Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

Prices for flights to both Palm Springs and Los Angeles 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

• FoodMeals for one day

  Los Angeles$60

  Palm Springs$53

Typical Food prices in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:

• Mexican Dinner (family of 4)

  $32

• Burritos for Two

  $15

• Coffee and Danish

  $7.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

• Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings:$75
• 3-Hour Secret Food Tour:$80
• LA Venice Beach Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours:$85
• Venice Beach LA Food Tour:$89
• Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour:$89
• West Hollywood Food Tour:$89
• Downtown Food Tour:$89
• Venice Beach Food Tour:$89
• Original Downtown Los Angeles Walking Food Tour with Six Taste:$95
• Marina Del Rey: Christmas Eve Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise:$109
• Marina Del Rey: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise:$109
• Vegan African Dinner Party in Playa Del Ray:$132

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.

• Coachella Valley Cooking Class with Locals in their Home:$164

Entertainment

• EntertainmentEntrance tickets, shows, etc.

  Los Angeles$82

  Palm Springs$29

Typical Entertainment prices in Los Angeles

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:

• Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)

  $37

• Bowling

  $13

• Hollywood Tour for Two

  $30

• Six Flags for 2

  See Also

  Worth Avenue | An enchanting resort destination in Palm Beach, Florida

  $96

Tours and Activities in Los Angeles

For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

• Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour:$4.99
• Gambling Built the Sunset Strip: A Self-Guided Audio Tour:$5.13
• Hollywood Boulevard’s Haunting History and Hidden Gems: A Self-Guided Audio Tour:$5.20
• The Heart of Los Angeles’ Dreamland: A Self-Guide Tour in Culver City:$5.99
• Los Angeles Private Movie Tour: Lights Camera Distraction :$5.99
• Lost Souls of Hollywood Smartphone Ghost Tour:$7.46
• Pacific Coast Hwy (LA Santa Maria): Smartphone Audio Tour:$7.46
• Pacific Coast Highway Smartphone Driving Tour between LA & San Diego:$7.99
• Hollywood: Self-Guided Driving Tour and Interactive Quiz:$7.99
• Pacific Coast Highway: Smartphone Audio Tour, LA to Santa Maria:$7.99
• Lost Souls of Hollywood Blvd: a Smartphone Audio Ghost Tour:$7.99
• The Sunset Strip: A self-guided audio tour of Tinseltown’s playground:$9.99

Tours and Activities in Palm Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:

• 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action:$100
• 5-Day Desert Adventure for Youth in Joshua Tree National Park:$1,800
• Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ:$129
• Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour:$17
• Desert Healing Experience:$175
• Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure:$139
• Full-Day Private Hiking Tour in Joshua Tree National Park:$678
• Game-Guided Walking Tour in Scavenger Hunt + Trivia:$38
• Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Desert:$200
• Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Springs:$200
• Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour :$209
• Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour:$209

Alcohol

• AlcoholDrinks for one day

  Los Angeles$15

  Palm Springs$13

Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:

• LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl:$35
• LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl:$40
• Salsa Lesson, Burlesque and Mojitos :$149
• Salsa Lesson and Burlesque Show:$149
• Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting:$195
• Santa Barbara Wine Tasting Day Tour from Los Angeles:$349
• The Hollywood Magician Bar Crawl with Alex Kazam:$500
• Temecula Wine Tour from Los Angeles:$849
• Private Wine Tasting Tour to Santa Ynez from Los Angeles:$1,090

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, we can see that Los Angeles is more expensive. And not only is Palm Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palm Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palm Springs 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles than you might in Palm Springs.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Los Angeles Expensive? and Is Palm Springs Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Los Angeles and Palm Springs, 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 Los Angeles or Palm Springs?

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 Los Angeles or Palm Springs in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Los Angeles as well as Palm Springs. Many travelers come to Los Angeles for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Los Angeles is around the same temperature as Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Los Angeles in July average around 72°F (22°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 73°F (23°C).

Los Angeles usually gets less rain in July than Palm Springs. Los Angeles gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

• Summer Average TemperaturesJuly

  Los Angeles72°F (22°C)

  Palm Springs73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

Both Palm Springs and Los Angeles are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Los Angeles in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Los Angeles is generally cooler than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Los Angeles average around 64°F (18°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In October, Los Angeles usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Los Angeles gets 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

• Autumn Average TemperaturesOctober

  Los Angeles64°F (18°C)

  Palm Springs69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs in the Winter?

Both Palm Springs and Los Angeles during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Los Angeles is around the same temperature as Palm Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Los Angeles averages around 55°F (13°C) in January, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

Los Angeles usually gets more rain in January than Palm Springs. Los Angeles gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.

• Winter Average TemperaturesJanuary

  Los Angeles55°F (13°C)

  Palm Springs57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Los Angeles or Palm Springs in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Los Angeles and Palm Springs. The spring months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Los Angeles is around the same temperature as Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Los Angeles in April average around 61°F (16°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In April, Los Angeles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palm Springs. Los Angeles gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

• Spring Average TemperaturesApril

  Los Angeles61°F (16°C)

  Palm Springs62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Los Angeles