Which place is cheaper, Portland or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rio de Janeiro or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rio de Janeiro and Portland 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: Rio de Janeiro or Portland?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $106Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $106, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Rio de Janeiro and Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $67Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $134Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro or Portland? 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $8.04Portland $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
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Taxi Ride$2.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Visit to Madureira Park in Rio de Janeiro with Transfer: $66
- Two Brothers Trail- one of the best views of Rio (transfer is included): $56
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (SDU): $25
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Rio de Janeiro APT-HTL (GIG): $52
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer Rio de Janeiro HTL-APT (SDU): $25
- Transfers Rio (Copacabana / Buzios / Angra / Paraty and Arraial): $154
- Transfer to GIG or SDU International Airport in Rio de Janeiro: $39
- Transfer service from / to Rio - Barra da Tijuca Airports: $26
- Transfer service from / to International Airport (GIG) - Zona Sul: $21
- Transfer service from / to Buzios / Arraial do Cabo / Cabo Frio: $77
- Transfer in Rio: $35
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (SDU): $19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Rio de Janeiro or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
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Popcorn$0.59
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Corn on the Cob$0.79
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Hamburger$0.99
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $73
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $80
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Brazilian Meats and Snacks + South American Wines Guided Dinner: $89
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $106
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $113
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Samba Show Admission & Transfer with Dinner Option: $130
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
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Portland $24
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ilha Grande Tour Full day - Rio de Janeiro by Rio Eco Trip: $105
- 10-hour Private Tour Rio In One Day: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Downtown: $260
- 14 - Guided Tour to Quadra Do Salgueiro with Samba Show: $75
- 15 - Guided Tour to Santa Marta Favela: $150
- 16 - Guided Tour to Favela da Rocinha: $75
- 19 - Guided Tour to the Museum of Tomorrow and Olympic Boulevard: $90
- 2 Days in Rio: Tijuca Forest & Two Brothers Hiking Tours: $276
- 2 hours Hang Gliding Paragliding Full Package experience in Rio : $177
- 21 - Guided Tour to the Imperial City of Petrópolis with Lunch: $80
- 25 - Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande: $80
- 27 -Guided Tour to Christ the Redeemer and City in Rio de Janeiro: $75
- 3 Hour Boat Tour in Rio de Janeiro: $68
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: $8.99
- 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
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
- Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $33
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $34
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Petropolis City Tour with Imperial Museum and Optional Lunch & Bohemia Brewery: $40
- Petropolis Bohemia: Historic tour and visit to the Bohemian Brewery: $60
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $65
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $132
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 Rio de Janeiro and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Rio de Janeiro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Rio de Janeiro is in South America and Portland is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rio de Janeiro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rio de Janeiro or Portland?
Rio de Janeiro has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Rio de Janeiro and Portland, 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 Rio de Janeiro or Portland?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rio de Janeiro is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Portland has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Portland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Portland. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
In the summer, Rio de Janeiro is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C)in July.
Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in January than Portlandin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland and Rio de Janeiro are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In April, Rio de Janeiro is generally much warmer than Portlandin October. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 25°C (77°F), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Rio de Janeiro. In April, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Portlandin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland and Rio de Janeiro during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Portland can get quite cold in the winter. Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C)in January.
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in July than Portlandin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Portland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Portland. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Rio de Janeiro is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C)in April.
In October, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Portlandin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.