How Much Does Los Angeles Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis where travel costs can fluctuate significantly depending on the neighborhood and desired level of luxury. While it is generally considered a high-cost destination similar to New York City or London, strategic planning allows for a variety of price points. Daily budgets typically range from $115 for solo budget travelers to over $747 for those seeking a luxury experience in areas like Beverly Hills or Santa Monica. Visitors should be prepared for high service expectations and a complex layering of taxes and fees that can increase the final bill at hotels and restaurants. Despite the premium prices for major attractions, the city offers an extensive array of high-quality low-cost dining and world-class free cultural sites.
Is Los Angeles expensive to visit?
Los Angeles is an expensive destination, with daily costs ranging from $115 to $747 depending on whether one opts for street tacos and hostels or fine dining and luxury suites.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Los Angeles
$115
per person /day
$284
per person /day
$747
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $344 | $852 | $2,242 |
| 5-Day Trip | $573 | $1,421 | $3,737 |
| 7-Day Trip | $803 | $1,988 | $5,232 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15–20% budget buffer to account for the mandatory 14% hotel tax and the common resort fees of $29–$53 per night that are rarely included in initial online quotes. Additionally, this buffer covers the standard 18–20% gratuity expected for most services and the occasional unexpected 3–5% restaurant healthcare surcharge.
How Does It Compare?
See how Los Angeles stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Los Angeles
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-Range 3-Course Dinner for Two Costs ~$100. Expect to add ~$20–$25 for tip and tax. | $100 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) Standard coffee shop price (~$6.04). Specialty roasters in Silver Lake or Venice can be higher. | $6.04 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro Bus and Rail Base Fare Roughly ~$1.74. Includes 2 hours of free transfers if using a TAP card. | $1.74 |
| LAX FlyAway Bus to Union Station Direct airport shuttle to Downtown or Van Nuys (~$9.72). Tickets must be purchased by card or via the app. | $9.72 |
| Official Taxi Flat Rate (LAX to Downtown) Standard flat fare of ~$44. Does not include the typical 15–20% tip. | $44 |
| Metro 1-Day Fare Cap Ride all day for ~$4.98. You must use a TAP card to benefit from fare capping. | $4.98 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica (Dorm Bed) Cost is ~$36 per night. Located steps from the beach. One of the most popular high-end hostels in the city. | $36 |
| Average 4-star Hotel Nightly Rate Equivalent to ~$199. Rates vary significantly by neighborhood; Downtown and Santa Monica are typically higher. | $199 |
| Conrad Los Angeles (Luxury Suite) Ultra-luxury option in DTLA, costs ~$367. Note that luxury hotels often charge additional resort or destination fees. | $367 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Universal Studios 1-Day Ticket (Peak) Peak price is ~$153. Off-peak dates can be as low as ~$109. | $153 |
| LACMA Adult Admission (Non-Resident) Costs ~$30. LA County residents get a discount (~$4.98 off). | $30 |
| Griffith Observatory Planetarium Show Observatory entry is free, but shows are ~$9.97. Tickets must be bought on-site. | $9.97 |
| The Getty Center Parking (Daily) Admission to the museum is free, but parking costs ~$25. Price drops to ~$15 after 15:00. | $25 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airalo 5GB eSIM (30 Days) Directly ~$15. Best value for a one-week trip to cover maps and social media. | $15 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape is defined by its diversity, ranging from world-famous taco trucks like Leo's Tacos to high-end establishments where a mid-range three-course dinner for two averages $100. Budget-conscious travelers can find value in local staples like In-N-Out Burger or Philippe The Original, though even casual coffee runs at specialty roasters usually cost around $6.04 for a cappuccino. It is important to note that many local restaurants now include a 3–5% healthcare or employee wellness fee, which is added to the bill before the standard 15–20% tip.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Leo's Tacos Truck
$2.25–$9.97Mid-City / Various · Street food area
Four tacos make a filling meal for under ~$10. Cash or card accepted.
In-N-Out Burger
$5.48–$12Multiple Locations · Local chain
The ultimate budget meal; a full combo costs about ~$12.
Philippe The Original
$11–$18Chinatown · Local chain
Legendary spot for a French Dip (~$11). Standing room only at peak times.
Guisados
$3.74–$15Boyle Heights / Echo Park · Local chain
Try the 'Mini Sampler' for ~$12 to taste six different braises.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
While Los Angeles is known for its car culture, the Metro system offers a cost-effective alternative with base fares at $1.74 and a daily fare cap of $4.98 when using a TAP card. For those arriving at LAX, the FlyAway bus provides a direct link to Union Station for $9.72, significantly cheaper than the official taxi flat rate to Downtown, which is $44 before tipping. However, many visitors still opt for ride-shares or rentals, despite valet parking fees at major hotels and venues often reaching $41–$65 per night.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging prices are highly sensitive to location, with Santa Monica and Downtown LA commanding the highest premiums. Budget travelers can find well-located options like the HI Los Angeles - Santa Monica for approximately $36 per night, while the average four-star hotel night stays around $199. For ultra-luxury, properties like the Conrad Los Angeles offer suites for $367, though guests should always account for a 14% Transient Occupancy Tax and potential resort fees of $29–$53 per night.
Accommodation Budget in Los Angeles
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the Metro TAP card fare capping system to limit daily transport spend to just $4.98, regardless of how many buses or trains are taken.
- 2 Visit The Getty Center after 15:00 to reduce the daily parking fee from $25 down to $15.
- 3 Eat at historic food stalls like Guisados in Boyle Heights or Leo's Tacos Truck for authentic meals that cost a fraction of a sit-down restaurant.
- 4 Take the LAX FlyAway bus for $9.72 instead of a taxi or ride-share to save over $35 on the trip from the airport to Downtown.
- 5 Visit during the shoulder months of May or October when the weather is a pleasant 22–25°C (72–77°F) and hotel rates can drop by $59–$94 per night.
- 6 Limit planetarium shows at Griffith Observatory to one session, as the $9.97 tickets must be purchased individually on-site while the building entry remains free.
- 7 Purchase Universal Studios tickets for off-peak weekdays to pay closer to $109 rather than the peak price of $153.
- 8 Avoid hotel valet charges of $41–$65 by using apps to find nearby independent parking garages or choosing neighborhoods with reliable street parking.
- 9 Stick to the 'Happy Hour' menus in West Hollywood or DTLA, typically running from 16:00–19:00, to find significantly discounted appetizers and drinks.
- 10 Carry a reusable water bottle to take advantage of the many public filling stations, avoiding the $3.53–$5.89 convenience store markups.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-30%
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Visit in May or October for perfect 22–25°C (72–77°F) weather without the summer crowds or holiday price hikes. Hotel rates drop by ~$59–$94/night.
Events to Watch
- ● The Oscars (Late Feb/Early March): Hotels near Hollywood spike +200%
- ● Grammy Awards (Feb): DTLA hotels at capacity
- ● Anime Expo (Early July): DTLA prices double
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Hike to the Hollywood Sign via the Mt. Hollywood Trail for iconic views without paying for a tour.
- 2 Explore the grounds of The Getty Center to see the architecture and gardens for $0 (entry is free).
- 3 Walk the historic Santa Monica Pier and enjoy the ocean views and street performers.
- 4 Visit the Griffith Observatory to view the exhibits and use the public telescopes at night.
- 5 Stroll through the Venice Canals to see the unique residential architecture and pedestrian bridges.
- 6 Wander through the Bradbury Building in Downtown LA to see the Victorian court and open-cage elevators.
- 7 Explore the Greystone Mansion and Park grounds in Beverly Hills during public hours.
- 8 Browse the massive collection at Amoeba Music, one of the world's largest independent record stores.
- 9 Visit the Exposition Park Rose Garden, a quiet oasis featuring over 15,000 rose bushes.
- 10 Walk through Olvera Street, the historic heart of the city, to see traditional Mexican marketplaces.
- 11 Hike Runyon Canyon for celebrity sightings and panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin.
- 12 View the 'Urban Light' installation and outdoor sculptures at LACMA without needing a museum ticket.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Hollywood Helicopter Tour
The only way to beat the traffic and see the Hollywood Sign up close. Costs ~$248.
Universal Express Pass Upgrade
Standard lines can exceed 2 hours; this pass (~$308) is essential during peak summer.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Los Angeles
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Los Angeles and what they cost
Santa Catalina Island
$86 by boat
Free
$179
Disneyland Park
$40 by bus/ride-share
$193
$279
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
No
Universal. Even street food trucks now take Apple Pay and cards.
Strictly expected: 18–22% at restaurants, ~$2–$4.94 per bag for bellhops, and 15–20% for taxis/Ubers.
Avoid 'generic' ATMs in liquor stores which charge ~$4.94–$10 per transaction. Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Chase, BofA).
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$15 for 1-5GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $47–$71 for unlimited data
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, hotels, and tourist hubs like Santa Monica Pier.
Airalo eSIM is the most convenient; local SIMs (T-Mobile/AT&T) at the airport are much more expensive (~$59+).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Los Angeles.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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