Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Portland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Portland or Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
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 Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPortland $180Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Portland is $180, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPortland $97Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPortland $194Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Portland and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Portland or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Portland $28Kailua-Kona $45
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
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Portland or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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 $43Kailua-Kona $58
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 Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Portland $24Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland, Oregon: $23
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPortland $17Kailua-Kona $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 Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Portland.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Portland Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Portland or Kailua-Kona?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Portland and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Portland or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Portland as well as Kailua-Kona. 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 cooler than Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 68°F (20°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In the summer, Portland often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
Portland usually gets less rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPortland 68°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Portland or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Portland are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Portland in October average around 55°F (13°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
Portland usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Portland gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Portland usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPortland 55°F (13°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Portland or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Portland during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. In January, Portland is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Portland average around 40°F (4°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In the winter, Portland often gets less sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. Portland usually gets more rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPortland 40°F (4°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Portland or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Portland is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 51°F (11°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Portland usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Portland gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Portland usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Portland gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPortland 51°F (11°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Portland
| Portland | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.