Which place is cheaper, Seattle or Pocono Mountains?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pocono Mountains and Seattle 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.
Pocono Mountains is a scenic, beautiful, and magnificent region. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include museums, skiing, and food.
Seattle is a bustling, progressive, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle. Although Pocono Mountains and Seattle are both popular with visitors, Seattle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, and big city activities, while Pocono Mountains is known for its skiing and resorts. Pocono Mountains is popular for its hiking trails, boating and fishing, and small towns. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seattle and Pocono Mountains. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Pocono Mountains is notable for snow skiing. However, Seattle is not a skiing destination.
Pocono Mountains is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. There are a number of ski resorts in the area that offer family-friendly skiing or more advanced options. Some of the most popular ski areas are Big Boulder, Blue Mountain, Camelback Mountain, and Jack Frost Mountain.
Seattle is not a skiing destination.
Seattle is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its museums and history.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pocono Mountains. Visiting a local museum is a great way to learn about the area's history and Native American population. For a glimpse back in time, you can visit the Asa Packer Mansion, Grey Towers National Historic Landmark, or Columns Museum. The Old Jail Museum is a fascinating place to visit and even offers ghost tours. The Pocono Indian Museum and Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm are both worth a visit as well.
Seattle is a city with good options for its theatre productions. However, Pocono Mountains is not a theatre destination.
Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.
Pocono Mountains is not a theatre destination.
Seattle is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Pocono Mountains is not as famous, but is still a good region to visit for its restaurants.
Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.
Pocono Mountains is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Family-friendly restaurants are common. Many serve up casual American cuisine like burgers or pasta. There are also more upscale restaurants, some with impressive views, that will elevate your culinary experience. For a local experience, find a restaurant with a seasonal menu that makes the most of the local ingredients.
Seattle is notable for nightlife and partying. However, Pocono Mountains is a mediocre region for its evening party scene.
Seattle has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.
Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Pocono Mountains. There are some resorts with casinos and bars as well as local breweries and bars. You'll also find a theater or two in the area.
Seattle is notable for its live music scene. However, Pocono Mountains is not a live music destination.
If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Seattle. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.
Pocono Mountains is not a live music destination.
Pocono Mountains is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Seattle is not a resort destination.
Pocono Mountains has a few great resort options. Resorts range from family-friendly to romantic. Many have indoor pools or even water parks. Some also have spas, restaurants, and plenty of amenities.
Seattle is not a resort destination.
Seattle is a city with good options for the beache. However, Pocono Mountains is not a beach destination.
Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.
Pocono Mountains is not a beach destination.
Both Pocono Mountains and Seattle are destinations which offer high quality hiking.
Pocono Mountains is a popular spot for hiking. There are miles of hiking trails that take you through forests or to spectacular waterfalls. Trails range from easy to challenging and each offers a great way to escape into nature. Some of the more popular trails are found in Tobyhanna State Park and Promised Land State Park. The Appalachian Trail also passes through the area.
Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Both Pocono Mountains and Seattle are good shopping destinations.
Pocono Mountains offers some nice shopping areas. Head to the towns for some the best local shopping. The downtown areas in each of the major towns - Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg, Milford, and Honesdale - have local vendors, antique shops, and the occasional flea market or farmer's market.
Seattle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.
Pocono Mountains is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Pocono Mountains is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There's horseback riding in the warmer seasons and kid-friendly skiing in the winter. The kids will also enjoy the hiking, ziplining, and indoor waterparks in the area. Animal farms and petting zoos are also popular, particularly with the younger kids.
Seattle is a family-friendly region. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.
Pocono Mountains is notable for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Pocono Mountains is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic resorts, cozy cabins, and luxurious spas all make this a wonderful couples destination. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the hiking and adventure sports in the area, while those looking for a more relaxed experience will appreciate the dining and cultural activities.
Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.
Pocono Mountains is notable for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Pocono Mountains is a very popular region for backpackers and budget travelers. There's no shortage of campgrounds, cabins, and hiking opportunities that will let backpackers enjoy a bit of nature.
Seattle is a good region to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.
Seattle is notable for students. However, Pocono Mountains is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Seattle. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.
Pocono Mountains is not popular with students.
Seattle is a city with good options for its public transit. However, Pocono Mountains is a mediocre region for times when you don't have a car.
Seattle has a few public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.
Public transit is mostly limited in Pocono Mountains. There are some bus services that run between a few towns, but they're not an efficient way to get around.
Seattle is notable for its high level of walkability. However, Pocono Mountains is a mediocre region for its ease of walking around.
Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.
Pocono Mountains is generally not a very walkable region. While there are plenty of hiking trails and some walkable towns, you really need a car to explore the area.
For even more information, also check out Is Pocono Mountains Worth Visiting? and Is Seattle Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pocono Mountains and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Pocono Mountains than in Seattle. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Pocono Mountains, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.
Families should spend more time in Pocono Mountains than Seattle. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Pocono Mountains, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Seattle than Pocono Mountains. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Seattle that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seattle than Pocono Mountains 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 Seattle.
In Pocono Mountains, you'll find skiing and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This region offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Pocono Mountains, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
People visit Seattle because there is so much to do. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Pocono Mountains is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pocono Mountains has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Seattle is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pocono Mountains. In Pocono Mountains, you'll find museums and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
Seattle is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Pocono Mountains is $174, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $205. 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 Pocono Mountains and Seattle in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Pocono Mountains or Seattle? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
Prices for flights to both Seattle and Pocono Mountains 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pocono Mountains are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pocono Mountains and Seattle, we can see that Seattle is more expensive. And not only is Pocono Mountains much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pocono Mountains would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pocono Mountains 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle than you might in Pocono Mountains.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pocono Mountains Expensive? and Is Seattle Expensive?.
Seattle has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Pocono Mountains. When comparing the sizes of Pocono Mountains and Seattle, 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 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.
Both Seattle and Pocono Mountains are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pocono Mountains for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Pocono Mountains is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pocono Mountains in July average around 75°F (24°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. Pocono Mountains usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Pocono Mountains gets 288 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Pocono Mountains. In July, Pocono Mountains usually receives more rain than Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Seattle and Pocono Mountains during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.
In October, Pocono Mountains is generally around the same temperature as Seattle. Daily temperatures in Pocono Mountains average around 55°F (13°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In the autumn, Pocono Mountains often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.
Pocono Mountains usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pocono Mountains and Seattle. The skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pocono Mountains this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Pocono Mountains in the winter. Pocono Mountains is much colder than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Pocono Mountains averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).
Pocono Mountains usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Pocono Mountains gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.
Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Pocono Mountains usually receives less rain than Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Pocono Mountains as well as Seattle. Many travelers come to Pocono Mountains for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Seattle in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Pocono Mountains is around the same temperature as Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pocono Mountains in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pocono Mountains this time of the year. In the spring, Pocono Mountains often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.
Pocono Mountains usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Pocono Mountains gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Pocono Mountains | Seattle | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
Feb | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
Mar | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jun | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
Jul | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Aug | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) |