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

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Should you visit Durham or Sacramento?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Sacramento can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Durham or Sacramento?

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

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 Durham?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $130, 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 Durham and Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Durham $73
    Sacramento $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Durham $146
    Sacramento $176
Compare Hotels in Durham and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Durham 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 Durham


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: Durham Hotel Prices and Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Durham $26
    Sacramento $41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:

  • Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139

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 Durham or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Durham 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
    Durham $35
    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.
    Durham $21
    Sacramento $15

Tours and Activities in Durham

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

  • Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham: $41

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
    Durham $27
    Sacramento $9.31

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 Durham and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.


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

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

In July, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Sacramento. Temperatures in Durham average around 79°F (26°C), and Sacramento stays around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Durham. In the summer, Durham often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Durham gets 259 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 Durham. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Durham 79°F (26°C) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Durham or Sacramento in the Autumn?

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

Durham is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the autumn. The temperature in Durham is usually 61°F (16°C) in October, and Sacramento stays around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Durham usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Durham 61°F (16°C) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Durham or Sacramento in the Winter?

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

Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Durham is much colder than Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Durham in January are around 40°F (5°C), and Sacramento is about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Durham often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Durham 40°F (5°C) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Durham or Sacramento in the Spring?

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

In April, Durham is generally around the same temperature as Sacramento. Temperatures in Durham average around 60°F (16°C), 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 Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Durham usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Durham 60°F (16°C) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Durham

Durham Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)


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Durham vs. Sacramento Travel Comparison

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