A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Sacramento for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Asheville or Sacramento?

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 Asheville and Sacramento. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a relaxed, undiscovered, and laid back city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Asheville and Sacramento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Sacramento?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Asheville than Sacramento. While Sacramento is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Asheville is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Sacramento is more popular for its museums. Asheville is more touristy than Sacramento and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Also, Asheville is famous for The Biltmore Estate. Sacramento is well known for its history and state capital.

How is Asheville different from Sacramento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sacramento and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Sacramento?

Sacramento is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sacramento. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Sacramento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Asheville and Sacramento can be an enjoyable experience.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Sacramento is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Asheville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Sacramento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Music?

Asheville is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Sacramento is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Asheville while you're in town. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Sacramento is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sacramento is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Asheville makes a nice vacation spot. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Sacramento is not a resort destination.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its old town. However, Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Sacramento?

Asheville is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Many visitors go to Sacramento to go shopping. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Sacramento does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Sacramento does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Sacramento does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville has some Christmas markets worth visiting during the holidays. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Sacramento does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Families?

Asheville is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Asheville is very family-friendly. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Couples?

Asheville is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Students?

Asheville is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit as a student. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Sacramento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Sacramento.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Asheville or Sacramento a more walkable city?

Asheville is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Sacramento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sacramento or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Sacramento?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Asheville or Sacramento to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Asheville than Sacramento because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 1-2 days is enough time in Sacramento.

Families should spend more time in Asheville than Sacramento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Asheville, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Asheville than Sacramento. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Asheville that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Sacramento if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Sacramento?

With shopping and nightlife around the open-minded mountain town of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Sacramento. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sacramento has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Sacramento?

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Asheville, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Sacramento. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Sacramento?

Asheville, a popular mountain town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the relaxed city of Sacramento. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Asheville or Sacramento?

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sacramento is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Asheville or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Sacramento, 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 Asheville or Sacramento?

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 Asheville or Sacramento in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Sacramento. Many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Asheville is a little warmer than Sacramento in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the summer, Asheville often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Sacramento in the Autumn?

Both Sacramento and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Asheville is around the same temperature as Sacramento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Sacramento averages at about 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Sacramento in the Winter?

Both Sacramento and Asheville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year.

In January, Asheville is generally cooler than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Sacramento. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Sacramento in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Sacramento. The natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

Asheville is a little warmer than Sacramento in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Asheville