A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charleston vs. Sacramento for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Charleston or Sacramento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Sacramento, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Charleston or Sacramento?

Charleston

Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.

Sacramento

Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.

Which place is cheaper, Sacramento or Charleston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $170, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $281. 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 Charleston and Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charleston $90
    Sacramento $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charleston $180
    Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Sacramento? 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.

Hotels in Charleston


Hotels in Sacramento


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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charleston $33
    Sacramento $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $60
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $60
  • Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $105
  • From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
  • Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $105
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
  • Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
  • Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $209
  • Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $119
  • Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $209

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

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

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $223

Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Charleston 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Charleston $58
    Sacramento $53
Typical Food Prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:


  • Lunch in downtown Charleston for two
    $21
  • Breakfast
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston

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

  • Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
  • Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
  • Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
  • Charleston Food Tour: $99
  • Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
  • Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $109
  • Charleston Walking Brunch Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
  • Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
  • Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
  • Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

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

  • Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
  • Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
  • Midtown Walking Food Tour: $145
  • Italian Cooking and Dance Class Experience: $160

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charleston $22
    Sacramento $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:


  • Patriots Point (for 2)
    $60

Tours and Activities in Charleston

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

  • 2 Hours Private Morris Island and River Cruise: $255
  • 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
  • 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
  • 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
  • 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
  • Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $51
  • An Amazing Guided Ghost Tour: $30
  • Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
  • Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78
  • Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket: $28
  • Bruce Knows Charleston Walking Tour: $30
  • Charleston Bird Watching Tour : $45

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

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

  • Gold Rush & Ghosts SmartPhone App Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $12
  • Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $12
  • Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
  • Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charleston $36
    Sacramento $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston

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

  • Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
  • Women and Wine Tour: $18
  • Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
  • Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
  • Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
  • Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
  • Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
  • Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
  • Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
  • Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140

Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento

Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting Audio Tour - Amador County CA: $30
  • Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Charleston.

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


Which is Bigger, Charleston or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston or Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento and Charleston during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 82°F (28°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Charleston. In the summer, Charleston often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charleston 82°F (28°C) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Sacramento. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

Charleston is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Charleston averages around 67°F (19°C) in October, and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charleston 67°F (19°C) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Sacramento. Many travelers come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Charleston is a little warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charleston in January average around 47°F (9°C), and Sacramento averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Charleston often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charleston 47°F (9°C) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Charleston in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Charleston is generally a little warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Charleston average around 64°F (18°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charleston 64°F (18°C) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Charleston

Charleston Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 47°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 50°F (10°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 58°F (14°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 76°F (25°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 58°F (15°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)