A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sacramento vs. Hilo for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sacramento or Hilo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Hilo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a undiscovered, laid back, and relaxed city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Hilo

Hilo is a laid back, mellow, and friendly town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and museums.

Sacramento and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sacramento or Hilo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Hilo. Although Sacramento and Hilo are both popular with visitors, Hilo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Hilo is more popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Sacramento is known for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Hilo is more touristy than Sacramento and is known for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also home to Akaka Falls State Park. Sacramento is popular for its history and state capital.

How is Sacramento different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo and Sacramento. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sacramento or Hilo?

Sacramento is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Sacramento offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Sacramento or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hilo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sacramento area. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Sacramento is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Sacramento has a few options to choose from. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Sacramento is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Hilo offers a few options. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Sacramento is not a resort destination.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a decent place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Sacramento is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Sacramento is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Sacramento is not a beach destination.

Hilo has a beach worth visiting. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Sacramento is not a beach destination.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Hilo draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Hilo?

Sacramento is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Sacramento has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Hilo is very family-friendly. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Hilo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

Is Sacramento or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Sacramento and Hilo.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Public transit is generally limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Sacramento or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Hilo is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Sacramento Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Hilo?

Both Sacramento and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Sacramento. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Sacramento, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Sacramento. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hilo than Sacramento. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hilo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Sacramento 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 Hilo.

One day in Sacramento or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Sacramento. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With museums and food around the laid back town of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sacramento or Hilo?

Sacramento is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and museums around the destination of Hilo, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Sacramento or Hilo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the undiscovered destination of Sacramento. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hilo, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Sacramento or Hilo?

The undiscovered city of Sacramento offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Hilo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this town makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sacramento and Hilo, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Hilo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sacramento Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Hilo?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Hilo, 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 Sacramento or Hilo?

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 Sacramento or Hilo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Hilo. Many visitors come to Sacramento in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Sacramento is around the same temperature as Hilo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sacramento in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during summer. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Hilo. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sacramento or Hilo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Hilo. Most visitors come to Sacramento for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Hilo because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sacramento is generally cooler than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 64°F (18°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In the autumn, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Hilo. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Hilo in the Winter?

Both Hilo and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

Sacramento is much colder than Hilo in the winter. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Sacramento usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hilo during winter. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In January, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Hilo. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sacramento or Hilo in the Spring?

Both Hilo and Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Sacramento is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sacramento in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Hilo averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. In the spring, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Hilo. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Sacramento