Which city is cheaper, Columbia River Gorge or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Columbia River Gorge can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.
The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $187, while the average daily cost in Columbia River Gorge is $143. 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 Phoenix and Columbia River Gorge in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Phoenix or Columbia River Gorge? 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.
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Columbia River Gorge and Phoenix 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia River Gorge are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and Columbia River Gorge, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Columbia River Gorge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia River Gorge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia River Gorge 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Columbia River Gorge.
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.
Both Columbia River Gorge and Phoenix during the summer are popular places to visit.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. In the summer, Phoenix is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phoenix in July are around 98°F (36°C), and Columbia River Gorge is about 68°F (20°C).
In Columbia River Gorge, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the summer, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun.
Phoenix usually gets more rain in July than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Columbia River Gorge.
In October, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Temperatures in Phoenix average around 79°F (26°C), and Columbia River Gorge stays around 55°F (13°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during autumn. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Columbia River Gorge.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The temperature in Phoenix is usually 58°F (14°C) in January, and Columbia River Gorge stays around 40°F (4°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the winter, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix usually gets less rain in January than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Columbia River Gorge and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Phoenix is much warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phoenix in April are around 74°F (23°C), and Columbia River Gorge is about 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during spring. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Phoenix | Columbia River Gorge | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Mar | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
May | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Jun | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
Jul | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Aug | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Sep | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
Oct | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
Dec | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) |
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