Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Portland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portland or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Portland and Halifax 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: Portland or Halifax?
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.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortland $180Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Portland is $180, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Portland and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortland $97Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortland $194Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Portland and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Portland or Halifax? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Portland Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portland $28Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Portland or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Portland 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
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Food Meals for one dayPortland $43Halifax $31
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portland $24Halifax $28
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $102
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $86
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- Aerial adventure above Portland, Oregon: $189
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $75
- Afternoon Multnomah Falls and Gorge Waterfalls Tour: $85
- Air Tour of Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge: $289
- Air Tour of Multnomah Falls & Columbia Gorge from Portland: $159
- Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99
- All Day Northern Oregon Wineries and Forest Bike Tour: $245
- Beautiful Air Tour of the Columbia River Gorge : $99
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortland $17Halifax $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Portland and Halifax, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland than you might in Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portland or Halifax?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 51% larger than the population of Halifax. When comparing the sizes of Portland and Halifax, 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.
When is the best time to visit Portland or Halifax?
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 Portland or Halifax in the Summer?
Both Halifax and Portland are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Portland is a little warmer than Halifax in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Halifax fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
It's quite sunny in Halifax. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. Portland usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during summer. Portland gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Portland usually receives less rain than Halifax. Portland gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPortland 68°F (20°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Autumn?
Both Halifax and Portland during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Portland is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Halifax averages at about 10°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Portland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Halifax. Portland gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Portland usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Portland gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPortland 55°F (13°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland and Halifax. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. In January, Portland is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Portland average around 40°F (4°C), and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Portland usually receives less sunshine than Halifax during winter. Portland gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
Halifax receives a lot of rain in the winter. Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Portland usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Portland gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPortland 40°F (4°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Portland or Halifax in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Portland as well as Halifax. Many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Halifax can get quite cold in the spring. Portland is much warmer than Halifax in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Halifax fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In the spring, Portland often gets more sunshine than Halifax. Portland gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Portland usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Portland gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPortland 51°F (11°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Portland
| Portland | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.