Should you visit Detroit or Sacramento?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Sacramento, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
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 Detroit?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Detroit is $107, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Detroit and Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Detroit can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $51, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $102.
The prices for places to stay in Sacramento can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $88, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $176.
Food
In Detroit travelers spend around $36 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
While meal prices in Sacramento can vary, the average travelers spends about $42 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Sacramento should cost around $17 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sacramento is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Detroit $36
Sacramento $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home:
$94
-
Detroit Revival Food Tours:
$139
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
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Detroit than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $30 on transportation in Detroit on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Sacramento than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $41 on transportation in Sacramento on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit:
$100
-
Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW):
$622
-
Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport:
$122
-
Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City:
$122
-
Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer:
$149
-
Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW:
$43
-
Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$212
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer:
$72
-
Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer:
$144
-
Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$72
-
Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$455
-
Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer:
$228
-
Private transfer from Sacramento to SFO:
$340
-
Private Sacramento Transfer Hotel to Airport:
$150
-
Private Sacramento Transfer Airport to Hotel:
$150
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Sacramento City - One Way:
$73
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Roseville City - One Way:
$144
Is it cheaper to fly into Detroit or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Detroit 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Detroit, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $17 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Sacramento, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Detroit
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour:
$18
-
90 minute Segway Experience:
$64
-
Detroit Beer History Walking Tour:
$39
-
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$30
-
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover:
$29
-
Corktown is Popping! Small Group Walking Tour:
$29
-
Downtown Detroit Walking Tour with a Local:
$29
-
Foods and Flavors of Detroit Private Tour:
$130
-
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Entry & Guided Tour:
$15
-
The Rise, Fall & Renewal Walking Tour:
$29
-
Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour:
$49
Tours and Activities in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
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 Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour:
$78
-
Sacramento Urban Murals: Cycle the streets of Sacramento with an audio tour:
$5.00
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Detroit spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Sacramento spend on average $9.31 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Detroit and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.
Related Articles for Detroit
Related Articles for Sacramento
