Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sacramento or Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Toronto, 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.
Where Should I go: Sacramento or Toronto?
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySacramento $281Toronto $203
The average daily cost (per person) in Sacramento is $281, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $203. 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 Sacramento and Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSacramento $111Toronto $86
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSacramento $222Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Sacramento and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Sacramento or Toronto? 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: Sacramento Hotel Prices and Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sacramento $51Toronto $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sacramento Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $218
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $122
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $221
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
- Round Trip Private Transfer in Sacramento Airport to Calistoga: $294
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
-
Airport Shuttle$26
-
Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada: $160
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls, Canada: $160
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls (Ontario): $145
- Transfer Private Minivan from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls (Ontario): $159
- Shuttle Transfer Between Downtown and Niagara Falls: $111
- Private Transfer to Niagara Falls: $158
- Private Transfer for 1-10 Passengers to Downtown: $175
- Niagara Falls Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Transfer: $75
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.03
- Toronto Private Pearson Airport Transfers to Niagara Falls: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Sacramento or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto and Sacramento 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
-
Food Meals for one daySacramento $53Toronto $65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
- Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
- Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
- Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
- Midtown Walking Food Tour: $145
- Italian Cooking and Dance Class Experience: $160
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
-
Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $72
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $151
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sacramento $19Toronto $31
Tours and Activities in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $12
- Davis Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- Downtown Sacramento Mural and Art Walking Tour : $45
- Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Full-Day Boarding Experience Wakeboard,Wakesurf,orKneeboard: $850
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
- Half Day Boarding Experience Wakeboard,Wakesurf,or Kneeboard: $425
- Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
-
Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
-
CN Tower at night for Two$36
-
Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
-
Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $186
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $200
- 2 Hour Toronto City Tour: $48
- 3-day Eastern Canada Tour from Toronto: $259
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $111
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $34
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $139
- Best of Niagara Falls Tour with Optional Boat and Helicopter Ride: $66
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise: $140
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Bus to Grotto - Tobermory Flowerpot Island Cruise Bruce Peninsula: $148
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySacramento $12Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- Placer County Wine Tasting Pass: $19
- Wine Tasting Audio Tour - Lodi California: $35
- Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.01
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $40
- Craft Brewery Tour: $75
- From Niagara Wine Tours: $111
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $128
- Toronto to Niagara Wine Tour : $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sacramento and Toronto, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Toronto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toronto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toronto 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 Toronto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sacramento Expensive? and Is Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
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 Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto 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.
In July, Sacramento is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 76°F (24°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Toronto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during summer. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Toronto. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySacramento 76°F (24°C)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Sacramento or Toronto in the Autumn?
Both Toronto and Sacramento during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sacramento for the shopping scene.
Sacramento is much warmer than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
It's quite sunny in Sacramento. In the autumn, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.
Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Toronto. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSacramento 64°F (18°C)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Sacramento or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Toronto. Many visitors come to Sacramento in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Toronto can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Sacramento is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sacramento in January average around 45°F (7°C), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).
Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during winter. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Sacramento usually receives more rain than Toronto. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySacramento 45°F (7°C)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Sacramento or Toronto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Toronto.
In April, Sacramento is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 58°F (15°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In the spring, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.
Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSacramento 58°F (15°C)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Sacramento
| Sacramento | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
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.