Should you visit Phoenix or Sacramento?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Phoenix and Sacramento can help. 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.
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 Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $114, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Phoenix and Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Phoenix If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Sacramento can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $88, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $176.
Food
In Phoenix travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
While meal prices in Sacramento can vary, the average travelers spends about $42 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Sacramento should cost around $17 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Sacramento is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Phoenix $42
Sacramento $42
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:
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Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour:
$82
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Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour:
$85
Local Transportation
Phoenix'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 $16 per person, per day on transportation in Phoenix.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Sacramento than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $41 on transportation in Sacramento on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfer from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix:
$56
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Sedan Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona or Tucson:
$309
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SUV Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, or Tucson:
$334
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Private Transfer: Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
$622
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Private Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Phoenix:
$622
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Private Phoenix Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
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Private Phoenix Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$114
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Private Phoenix International Airport Transfer to Pittsburgh:
$48
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Private Departure Transfer to Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$26
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Private Arrival Transfer from Phoenix Airport (PHX):
$26
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Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$60
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Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$119
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$455
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Private transfer from Sacramento to SFO:
$340
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Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer:
$228
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Private Sacramento Transfer Airport to Hotel:
$150
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Private Sacramento Transfer Hotel to Airport:
$150
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Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer:
$144
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Roseville City - One Way:
$144
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Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Sacramento City - One Way:
$73
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Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$72
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Sacramento City to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer:
$72
Is it cheaper to fly into Phoenix or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Phoenix can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Sacramento, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
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2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix:
$539
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3-Day Sedona and Grand Canyon Rail Experience:
$820
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4 Person Guided U Drive Jeep Experience:
$650
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A Day In The Old West Adventure including Horseback Ride and Cowboy Lunch:
$325
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ATV Rentals and Tours:
$350
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Apache Trail Full Day Small Group Tour:
$139
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Apache Trail Small Group Tour with Canyon Lake Cruise:
$165
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Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Tour:
$129
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Awesome Instagram Tour of Phoenix:
$150
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BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
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Biplane - 30 Minute Scenic Sightseeing Tour in Phoenix:
$250
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Christmas | Holiday Lights ISM Zoomtown Lights 2 Hour Tour:
$320
Tours and Activities in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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California Gold Rush: The Sacramento Grid on a Self-Guided Bicycle Audio Tour:
$8.30
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Sacramento Historic River Cruise:
$20
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Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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Sacramento Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour:
$78
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Sacramento Urban Murals: Cycle the streets of Sacramento with an audio tour:
$5.00
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Phoenix, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Typically, people visiting Sacramento spend on average $9.31 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
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Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
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Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
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Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
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Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl:
$12
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Bk Best Wine Tasting Tours Amador County 4 Hour Chevrolet Suburban Passengers 7:
$385
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4 Hour Private Amador County Wine Tasting Tours Mercedes Sprinter Passengers Van:
$409
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Amador Wine Tour from Sacramento:
$436
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6 Hour Wine Tasting Tours Napa Valley Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van:
$625
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix 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 Phoenix.
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