Should you visit Phoenix or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Portland 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.
Phoenix
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.
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 Phoenix?
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 Portland is $142. 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 Portland in more detail.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix:
$56
-
Sedan Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona or Tucson:
$309
-
SUV Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, or Tucson:
$334
-
Private Transfer: Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
$622
-
Private Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Phoenix:
$622
-
Private Phoenix Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Phoenix Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$114
-
Private Phoenix International Airport Transfer to Pittsburgh:
$48
-
Private Departure Transfer to Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$26
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$26
-
Private Transfer to/from Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$128
-
Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$281
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$281
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$281
-
PDX - Portland Airport Transfer - Chauffeured Round Trip in a Luxury Sedan/SUV:
$267
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$204
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer:
$141
-
PDX - Portland One Way Airport Transfer in a Chauffeured Sedan/SUV:
$133
-
Transfer from Portland International Airport to Portland:
$109
-
Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$102
-
Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer:
$102
Is it cheaper to fly into Phoenix or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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.
Food
-
Food
Meals for one day
Phoenix $42
Portland $35
Typical Food prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
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
Entertainment
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
-
2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix:
$539
-
3-Day Sedona and Grand Canyon Rail Experience:
$820
-
4 Person Guided U Drive Jeep Experience:
$650
-
A Day In The Old West Adventure including Horseback Ride and Cowboy Lunch:
$325
-
ATV Rentals and Tours:
$350
-
Apache Trail Full Day Small Group Tour:
$149
-
Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Tour:
$129
-
Awesome Instagram Tour of Phoenix:
$150
-
BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
-
Biplane - 30 Minute Scenic Sightseeing Tour in Phoenix:
$250
-
Christmas | Holiday Lights ISM Zoomtown Lights 2 Hour Tour:
$320
-
Christmas | Holiday light Illuminations Symphony of lights only 2 hour Tours:
$320
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
-
Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
-
Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
-
Scottsdale: Mountain Biking and Brewery Tour:
$250
-
From Phoenix/Scottsdale: Sedona Hiking & Wine Tasting Tour:
$275
-
Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
-
Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
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
-
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 Phoenix and Portland, we can see that Phoenix 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 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 Portland.
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