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

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Should you visit Columbia or Sacramento?

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

Should I visit Columbia or Sacramento? 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.

Where Should I go: Columbia or Sacramento?

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

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 city is cheaper, Sacramento or Columbia?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $225. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Columbia and Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Columbia -
    Sacramento $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Columbia $0.00
    Sacramento $176
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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 Columbia


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: Columbia Hotel Prices and Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Columbia -
    Sacramento $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

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

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
  • Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Sacramento City - One Way: $73
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Roseville City - One Way: $144
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Hotel to Airport: $150
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Airport to Hotel: $150
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $228
  • Private transfer from Sacramento to SFO: $340
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $455

Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Columbia 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
    Columbia $4.02
    Sacramento $42

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

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

  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $82
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Columbia -
    Sacramento $15

Tours and Activities in Columbia

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

  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

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

  • Sacramento Urban Murals: Cycle the streets of Sacramento with an audio tour: $5.00
  • California Gold Rush: The Sacramento Grid on a Self-Guided Bicycle Audio Tour: $8.30
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $20
  • Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $30
  • Rock The Yacht River Cruise: $33
  • Sacramento Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Columbia $70
    Sacramento $9.31

Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia

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

  • Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30

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
  • Bk Best Wine Tasting Tours Amador County 4 Hour Chevrolet Suburban Passengers 7: $385
  • 4 Hour Private Amador County Wine Tasting Tours Mercedes Sprinter Passengers Van: $409
  • Amador Wine Tour from Sacramento: $436
  • 6 Hour Wine Tasting Tours Napa Valley Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van: $625

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Columbia 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 Columbia or Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento and Columbia during the summer are popular places to visit.

Columbia is a little warmer than Sacramento in the summer. The temperature in Columbia is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Sacramento stays around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the summer, Columbia often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Columbia 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 Columbia. Columbia usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Columbia or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Sacramento.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Columbia usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Columbia 64°F (18°C) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Sacramento.

In January, Columbia is generally around the same temperature as Sacramento. Temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Sacramento stays around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Columbia usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Sacramento. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Columbia 45°F (7°C) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Columbia or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Columbia is a little warmer than Sacramento in the spring. The temperature in Columbia is usually 64°F (18°C) in April, and Sacramento stays around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. Columbia usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Columbia usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Columbia

Columbia Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)


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Columbia vs. Sacramento Travel Comparison

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