Which place is cheaper, Sacramento or Miami?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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 Miami and Sacramento can help you decide which place is right for you.
Miami is a diverse, bustling, and high energy beach city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and live music.
Sacramento is a laid back, relaxed, and undiscovered city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Miami than Sacramento. While Sacramento is larger than Miami, Miami has more sights and attractions for tourists. Miami is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Sacramento attracts visitors for its museums. Miami is more touristy than Sacramento and is popular for its long sandy beaches, glitzy nightlife scene, diverse cultures, and award-winning restaurants. It is also well known for South Beach. Sacramento is famous for its history and state capital.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sacramento and Miami. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Sacramento is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Miami does not have museums and landmarks.
Many visitors head to Sacramento specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.
Miami does not have museums and landmarks.
Miami is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Miami is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city's food scene is as diverse as its population. It is a blend of Caribbean, Latin American, and South American flavors and it is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. There is everything from award-winning restaurants to local dives that offer excellent dishes and experiences. The city is known for its stone crabs, fish sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, and key lime pie.
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.
Miami is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.
Miami is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. From the posh nightlife clubs in South Beach, to the local salsa dancing venues in Little Havana, Miami is a city that thrives with energy. There are many world-renowned clubs that keep the music and drinks flowing through the entire night. There's also a glitzy and glamourous scene where the wealthy like to see and be seen.
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.
Miami 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 Miami. Popular live music venues include Ball and Chain, Cafe La Trova, Flamingo Theater Bar.
Sacramento is not a live music destination.
Miami is very popular for its luxury resorts. However, Sacramento is not a resort destination.
Miami offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Known for it's luxury, you'll find many resorts in the area. Popular options include The Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Fontainebleau, and Carillon Miami.
Sacramento is not a resort destination.
Miami is very popular for the beache. However, Sacramento is not a beach destination.
The beaches in Miami are among the best in the world. If you're looking for long sandy beaches, luxury yacht clubs, and fine dining restaurants, the area's beaches have them all. Some of the best beaches in the area include the world-famous South Beach, the North Beach Oceanside Park, Sunny Isles Beach, and Surfside. Many beaches are lined with high rise hotels that offer an urban beach experience.
Sacramento is not a beach destination.
Miami is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.
Known for shopping, Miami draws large crowds to its stores. The city has every high end brand you could want, along with diverse neighborhoods with local finds and unique purchases. You'll find many diverse shopping opportunities that are influenced by the city's cultural scene. You'll also find many souvenir stands and t-shirt shops.
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.
Miami is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Miami is very family-friendly. Because it's so big, you'll find a number of kid-friendly activities in the area. There's the Miami Zoo, various waterparks, the Everglades Alligator Park, Miccosukee Indian Village, and plenty of indoor playgrounds in case the weather doesn't cooperate.
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.
Miami is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.
Miami makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For couples who love nightlife, wining and dining, and high end beach clubs, this is the place to be. There are many award-winning restaurants and plenty of glitz and glam that make for a great romantic getaway.
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.
Miami is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.
It's common for backpackers to visit Miami. This city is large enough to have something for everyone, so you'll find several hostels in the area that bring in the backpackers.
Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.
Miami is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.
Plenty of students visit Miami. Spring break in Miami is the stuff of legends.
Sacramento is not popular with students.
Miami is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its public transit.
Miami has some public transit options. There's an elevated metrorail as well as buses around the city.
Public transit is generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.
Miami is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.
Miami is a very walkable beach city. Many parts of city are surprisingly walkable and pedestrian friendly, allowing you to eat out, go shopping, or explore without the need for a car.
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 Miami Worth Visiting? and Is Sacramento Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Miami or Sacramento to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sacramento than Miami because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 7 days is a good amount of time for Miami, and 1-2 days is enough time in Sacramento.
Families should spend more time in Miami than Sacramento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Miami, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Miami than Sacramento. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Miami that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Miami 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 Miami.
When visiting Miami, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Sacramento, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
The big city destination of Miami offers nightlife and live music. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Most people find that a weekend is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sacramento. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Miami, a popular beach city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Sacramento. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Miami is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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.
You'll find food and shopping around the relaxed destination of Sacramento. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $206, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $281. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Miami and Sacramento in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Miami 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Miami 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Miami much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Miami would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Miami 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 Miami.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Miami Expensive? and Is Sacramento Expensive?.
Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Miami as well as Sacramento. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Miami this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Miami is a little warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Miami in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Sacramento averages at about 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Miami this time of the year. In the summer, Miami often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.
Miami receives a lot of rain in the summer. Miami usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Sacramento and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Miami for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Sacramento in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Miami is generally a little warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Miami average around 78°F (26°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Miami. Miami usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Miami. In October, Miami usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Sacramento and Miami during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Miami in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Sacramento for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Miami is much warmer than Sacramento in the winter. The daily temperature in Miami averages around 67°F (20°C) in January, and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
It's quite sunny in Miami. In the winter, Miami often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.
Miami usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Sacramento. Most visitors come to Miami for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Miami is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Miami in April average around 75°F (24°C), and Sacramento averages at about 58°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Miami usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Miami gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Miami | Sacramento | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |