A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sacramento vs. Portland for Attractions, Backpackers, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sacramento or Portland?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Portland, 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 laid back, relaxed, and undiscovered city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Portland

Portland is a quirky, eclectic, and tree-lined city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, hiking, and shopping.

Sacramento and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sacramento or Portland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Portland. Although Sacramento and Portland are about the same size, Portland has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Portland is very popular for its music, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sacramento attracts visitors for its museums and food. Portland is more touristy than Sacramento and is known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. It is also well known for Washington Park. Sacramento is famous for its history and state capital.

How is Sacramento different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland 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 Portland?

Sacramento is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sacramento. 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.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

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

Sacramento is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Sacramento. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Sacramento or Portland Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Sacramento and Portland.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sacramento. 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.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Sacramento or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its live music scene. However, Sacramento is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Portland active and fun. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Sacramento is not a live music destination.

Is Sacramento or Portland Better for Hiking?

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

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Portland?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Sacramento and Portland.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sacramento. 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.

Many visitors go to Portland to go shopping. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Sacramento or Portland Better for Families?

Sacramento and Portland are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Sacramento is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Sacramento or Portland Better for Couples?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

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 Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many backpackers visit Portland. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

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 Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Portland. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

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

Portland is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Portland has some public transit options. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

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

Is Sacramento or Portland a more walkable city?

Portland is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

Portland is a very walkable city. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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 Portland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Portland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sacramento and Portland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Portland than in Sacramento. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Sacramento, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland 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 Portland.

One day in Sacramento or Portland?

The city of Sacramento offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With shopping and nightlife around the nature-filled city of Portland, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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 Portland?

Sacramento is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sacramento, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of Portland, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Sacramento or Portland?

Sacramento is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Portland, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Sacramento or Portland?

Sacramento is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Portland is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sacramento and Portland, we can see that Sacramento 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 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 Portland.

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

Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Portland?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento 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 Sacramento or Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

Both Portland and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 76°F (24°C), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Portland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Portland during summer. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Portland. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sacramento or Portland in the Autumn?

Both Portland and Sacramento during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sacramento for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Sacramento is a little warmer than Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. In the autumn, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Portland. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Portland. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Portland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Portland. Many visitors come to Sacramento in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Portland can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sacramento is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sacramento in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Portland receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Portland. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sacramento or Portland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Portland. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 58°F (15°C), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In the spring, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Portland. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Portland. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland and Sacramento