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

Should you visit Sacramento or Seattle?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Seattle, 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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Seattle

Seattle is a laid-back, bustling, and progressive city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and beaches.

Sacramento and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sacramento or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than Sacramento, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more touristy than Sacramento and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle. Sacramento is popular for its history and state capital.

How is Sacramento different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sacramento and Seattle.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Sacramento can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Seattle. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for its theatre productions. However, Sacramento is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Sacramento is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Seattle has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Seattle has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Sacramento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Sacramento is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Seattle while you're in town. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Sacramento is not a live music destination.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Beaches?

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

Seattle has a beach worth visiting. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Sacramento is not a beach destination.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Sacramento is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Seattle?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Sacramento and Seattle.

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 Seattle to go shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Families?

Sacramento and Seattle are both good 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 Seattle. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Sacramento or Seattle Better for Couples?

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

Seattle makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Seattle is a great city to visit as a student. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

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

Seattle 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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

Is Sacramento or Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Seattle?

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

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

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

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

One day in Sacramento or Seattle?

In Sacramento, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Seattle?

In Sacramento, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sacramento has to offer.

When visiting Seattle, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Seattle?

Sacramento is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle, 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 Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sacramento. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sacramento. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Seattle 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 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 Seattle, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Seattle.

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

Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Sacramento or Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Seattle. The summer months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

In the summer, Sacramento is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sacramento in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In the summer, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets less rain in July than Seattle. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 64°F (18°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Seattle. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sacramento or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Sacramento during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sacramento for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Sacramento is a little warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

In the winter, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Sacramento usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Seattle. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Sacramento is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sacramento in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Seattle. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Sacramento