Should you visit Jacksonville or Portland?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Portland. We’ll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget. So, let's dig into it.
Jacksonville
As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
Which city is cheaper, Portland or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, while the average daily cost in Portland is $136. 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 Jacksonville and Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Jacksonville, $148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Jacksonville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $74, such as in a hostel.
Travelers usually pay around $152 for a double occupancy room in Portland If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The price of a meal in Jacksonville can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $77 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $31 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
While meal prices in Portland can vary, the average travelers spends about $34 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Portland should cost around $14 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Portland is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Portland $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
Typical Food prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Afternoon Drinks (for 2)
$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Arts District Food Tour:
$84
-
Portland's Art District Food Tour:
$84
-
Walking Food Tour in Downtown Portland with Brunch:
$86
-
Downtown Deluxe Food Tour:
$89
-
Tastes of Downtown Portland Walking Food Tour:
$89
-
2.5-Hour Dinner Cruise Through Downtown Portland:
$108
Local Transportation
Jacksonville's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $43 per person, per day on transportation in Jacksonville.
To get around in Portland, the average visitor spends $20 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer: Jacksonville to Jacksonville Airport (JAX):
$622
-
Private transfer: Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville:
$622
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral:
$658
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
-
Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
-
Jacksonville Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport:
$125
-
Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
-
JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer from Portland International Airport to Portland:
$109
-
Private Departure Transfer to Portland Airport (PDX):
$32
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Portland Airport PDX:
$32
-
Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$102
-
Portland International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$281
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$204
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer:
$102
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$281
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland and Jacksonville 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, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jacksonville can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Portland, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $19 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
-
Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
-
Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
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Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
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Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
-
The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1-Hour Private Air Tour of Mount Hood and Columbia Gorge:
$430
-
2-Hour Champagne Brunch Cruise Through Downtown Portland:
$78
-
2-Hour Lunch Cruise Through Downtown Portland:
$69
-
20-Minute Columbia River Gorge Air Tour:
$65
-
20-minute Private Gorge Air Tour for 3:
$130
-
30-minute Multnomah Falls & Columbia Gorge Air Tour:
$128
-
40-minute Aerial Tour of Portland:
$184
-
40-minute Private Downtown Portland Air Tour for 3:
$286
-
5 Lighthouse Bike Tour with XL Lobster Roll:
$132
-
A Walk Through Time Tour in Portland:
$40
-
Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland:
$65
-
All Day Northern Oregon Wineries and Forest Bike Tour:
$245
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Portland spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
-
Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
-
Power Through Portland Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Oregon Priority Wine Tasting Pass:
$40
-
Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local:
$49
-
Portland's Eastside Craft Brewery Walking Tour:
$55
-
Portland Brewery Bike Tour:
$71
-
Oregon Famous Wine Country Wine Tasting Adventure:
$75
-
Brews & Bites - Food Carts & Brewery Tour:
$94
-
Views and Brews, Portland Brewery Bike Tour:
$118
-
5-Hour Willamette Valley Wine Tour with Tastings:
$120
-
Oregon Coast Brewery Tour:
$130
-
Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland:
$139
-
Full-Day City & Oregon Wine Tasting Tour:
$140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Portland, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Portland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portland 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville than you might in Portland.
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