A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Pine Key vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Big Pine Key and Columbia River Gorge. 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: Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge?

Columbia River Gorge has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge?

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 Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Columbia River Gorge because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

It's quite cold in Columbia River Gorge in the winter. In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 40°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.

Columbia River Gorge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Columbia River Gorge. Also, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia River Gorge this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Big Pine Key