A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chattanooga vs. Portland for Hiking, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Chattanooga or Portland?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Portland? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a outdoorsy, thriving, and bustling city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Portland

Portland is a tree-lined, nature-filled, and scenic city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Chattanooga and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Portland?

You'll generally find more things to do in Portland than Chattanooga. Portland is bigger than Chattanooga, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Portland is better known for its music, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Chattanooga is more popular for its museums and food. Portland is more touristy than Chattanooga and is popular for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. Also, Portland is famous for Washington Park. Chattanooga is well known for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Chattanooga different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chattanooga or Portland?

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Is the Food Better in Chattanooga or Portland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chattanooga is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chattanooga or Portland has a better nightlife scene.

Chattanooga has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland has a few options to choose from. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a popular place for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Portland is active and vibrant. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Chattanooga and Portland both have excellent trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Chattanooga. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Many visitors go to Portland for the hiking trails. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Portland?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Portland and Chattanooga.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga to go shopping. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Chattanooga or Portland.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chattanooga. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Portland offers lots of family activities. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chattanooga and Portland make for a notable place to visit.

Chattanooga is a good city for couples to visit. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Portland is a nice destination for couples. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is a great destination for backpackers. However, Chattanooga is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Portland is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Chattanooga is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's proximity to the mountains and diverse outdoor activities make this an under-rated destination for many backpackers.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a popular place for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

Is Chattanooga or Portland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chattanooga is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Chattanooga can move around easily with public transportation. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

You'll find some public transit in Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Chattanooga or Portland a more walkable city?

Chattanooga and Portland both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Chattanooga is a very walkable destination. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

Portland is very walkable. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

For even more information, also check out Is Chattanooga Worth Visiting? and Is Portland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Portland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chattanooga and Portland. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Chattanooga 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 Portland.

One day in Chattanooga or Portland?

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the tree-lined city of Portland. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Portland?

Chattanooga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chattanooga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting the progressive destination of Portland. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Chattanooga or Portland?

Chattanooga is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The quirky city of Portland offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chattanooga or Portland?

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Portland. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Portland, we can see that Chattanooga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Portland?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga and Portland, 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 Chattanooga or Portland?

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 Chattanooga or Portland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Portland. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Chattanooga is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chattanooga in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chattanooga this time of the year. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets less sunshine than Portland. Chattanooga gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Portland in the Autumn?

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

In October, Chattanooga is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 63°F (17°C), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Portland. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Chattanooga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. The weather in Chattanooga can be very cold. Chattanooga is around the same temperature as Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets more sunshine than Portland. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.

Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Portland. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Portland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Portland. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Chattanooga is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chattanooga in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Portland. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland and Chattanooga