A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Detroit vs. Sacramento for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Detroit or Sacramento?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit 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.

Detroit

Detroit is a hardworking, overlooked , and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a relaxed, undiscovered, and laid back city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Detroit and Sacramento: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Detroit or Sacramento?

You'll generally find more things to do in Detroit than Sacramento. Detroit is bigger than Sacramento, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Detroit is better known for its nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Sacramento is more popular for its museums. Detroit is well known for its Motown music, blue collar atmosphere, and influential auto industry. Also, Detroit is famous for the Henry Ford Experience. Sacramento is well known for its history and state capital.

How is Detroit different from Sacramento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Detroit or Sacramento?

Sacramento is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Detroit is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sacramento can be an interesting and educational experience. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Detroit. Popular museums around town include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Michigan Science Center.

Is the Food Better in Detroit or Sacramento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Detroit and Sacramento can be an enjoyable experience.

Detroit has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a local flavor to the food with a number of classic dishes that are popular like square pizza, Coney dogs, and corned beef egg rolls.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sacramento area. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Detroit or Sacramento Better for Nightlife?

Detroit is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Detroit has a large number of nightlife venues. It's long history in music still influences the nightlife scene. You'll find bars, clubs, and other activities around town. Greektown and Midtown are both popular neighborhoods during the evening.

Sacramento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Detroit or Sacramento Better for Music?

Detroit is very popular for its live music scene. However, Sacramento is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Detroit. Few cities have such an influential music industry. It's home to Motown and is well known for its soul music, jazz, blues, and rap.

Sacramento is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Detroit or Sacramento?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Detroit and Sacramento.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Detroit. There are several shopping streets like Woodward Avenue. There are also outlet malls, shopping centers, and Eastern Market.

Many visitors go to Sacramento to go shopping. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Is Detroit or Sacramento Better for Families?

Detroit and Sacramento are both notable destinations for the whole family.

Detroit is a family-friendly city. Head to the Detroit Zoo or check out one of the amusement parks in the area. Kids will enjoy a visit to Legoland and there's also the Sea Life Michigan Aquarium. You could also spend some time visiting the unique museums in the area.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Detroit or Sacramento Better for Couples?

Neither Detroit or Sacramento is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

Most people don't think of Detroit as a couple's destination. It's not a city that usually brings to mind romance, but if you find yourself here for a couple of days, there's a RiverWalk area and some interesting local neighborhoods.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Detroit or Sacramento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Detroit and Sacramento.

Public transit is mostly limited in Detroit. There's a streetcar and bus system, but the car is still king in Motor City.

Public transit is generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Detroit or Sacramento a more walkable city?

Detroit is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Detroit is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of downtown Detroit that are walkable, but most people need a car to get around.

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Detroit Worth Visiting? and Is Sacramento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sacramento or Detroit?

How long in Detroit or Sacramento?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Detroit or Sacramento to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Detroit than Sacramento because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Detroit, and 1-2 days is enough time in Sacramento.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Detroit than Sacramento 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 Detroit.

One day in Detroit or Sacramento?

With live music and food around the hardworking city of Detroit, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Detroit, one day is sufficent for most.

In Sacramento, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Detroit or Sacramento?

With food and shopping around the destination of Detroit, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

In Sacramento, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sacramento has to offer.

Five days in Detroit or Sacramento?

Detroit, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Sacramento is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Detroit or Sacramento?

Detroit is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the live music. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sacramento. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sacramento. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Detroit or Sacramento?

Detroit has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Detroit 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 Detroit or Sacramento?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Detroit or Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento and Detroit are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Detroit because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year.

Detroit is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the summer. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 74°F (24°C) in July, and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. Detroit usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. Detroit gets 319 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Detroit usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Detroit gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Detroit or Sacramento in the Autumn?

Both Sacramento and Detroit during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Detroit this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sacramento for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Detroit is cooler than Sacramento. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Detroit in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Sacramento averages at about 64°F (18°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Detroit often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Detroit gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in October than Sacramento. Detroit gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Detroit or Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Detroit and Sacramento. Many travelers come to Detroit for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Sacramento in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Detroit. In January, Detroit is generally much colder than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Detroit average around 25°F (-4°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Detroit usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during winter. Detroit gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Detroit usually receives less rain than Sacramento. Detroit gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Detroit or Sacramento in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Detroit as well as Sacramento. Many visitors come to Detroit in the spring for the activities around the city.

Detroit is much colder than Sacramento in the spring. The daily temperature in Detroit averages around 49°F (9°C) in April, and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit this time of the year. In the spring, Detroit often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Detroit gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.

Detroit usually gets more rain in April than Sacramento. Detroit gets 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Detroit