A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. Sacramento for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Phoenix or Sacramento?

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 Sacramento 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.

Where Should I go: Phoenix or Sacramento?

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 $187, 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Phoenix and Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Phoenix $113
    Sacramento $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Phoenix $226
    Sacramento $176
Compare Hotels in Phoenix and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Phoenix 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.

Hotels in Phoenix


Hotels in Sacramento


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Phoenix Hotel Prices and Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Phoenix $28
    Sacramento $41

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 Sacramento

Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $455
  • Private transfer from Sacramento to SFO: $340
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $228
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Airport to Hotel: $150
  • Private Sacramento Transfer Hotel to Airport: $150
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Roseville City - One Way: $144
  • Low Cost Private Transfer From Sacramento Executive Airport to Sacramento City - One Way: $73
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
  • 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.





Food
  • 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:


  • Nice Lunch (for 2)
    $36
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $32

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $82
  • Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Phoenix $32
    Sacramento $15

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 Sacramento

For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • California Gold Rush: The Sacramento Grid on a Self-Guided Bicycle Audio Tour: $8.30
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $30
  • Sacramento Historic River Cruise: $20
  • Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Sacramento Sutter District History and Food Walking Tour: $78
  • Sacramento Urban Murals: Cycle the streets of Sacramento with an audio tour: $5.00
  • Rock The Yacht River Cruise: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Phoenix $13
    Sacramento $9.31

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 Sacramento

Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
  • Bk Best Wine Tasting Tours Amador County 4 Hour Chevrolet Suburban Passengers 7: $385
  • 4 Hour Private Amador County Wine Tasting Tours Mercedes Sprinter Passengers Van: $409
  • Amador Wine Tour from Sacramento: $436
  • 6 Hour Wine Tasting Tours Napa Valley Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Passengers Van: $625

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Phoenix or Sacramento?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Phoenix or Sacramento in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Sacramento.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Temperatures in Phoenix average around 98°F (36°C), and Sacramento stays around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Phoenix usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Phoenix 98°F (36°C) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Phoenix or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Sacramento.

Phoenix is a little warmer than Sacramento in the autumn. The temperature in Phoenix is usually 79°F (26°C) in October, and Sacramento stays around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the autumn, Phoenix often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sacramento. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in October than Sacramento. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Phoenix 79°F (26°C) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Phoenix or Sacramento in the Winter?

Both Sacramento and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In the winter, Phoenix is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phoenix in January are around 58°F (14°C), and Sacramento is about 45°F (7°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Sacramento during winter. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Sacramento. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Phoenix 58°F (14°C) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Phoenix or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Phoenix during the spring are popular places to visit.

In April, Phoenix is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Temperatures in Phoenix average around 74°F (23°C), and Sacramento stays around 58°F (15°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the spring, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Sacramento. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Phoenix 74°F (23°C) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Phoenix

Phoenix Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 58°F (14°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 66°F (19°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 74°F (23°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 83°F (28°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 92°F (34°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 98°F (36°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 96°F (35°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 90°F (32°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 79°F (26°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 66°F (19°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 58°F (15°C) 1 inches (25 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)


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Phoenix vs. Sacramento Travel Comparison

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