A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sacramento vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sacramento or Victoria?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Sacramento?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sacramento is $281, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $182. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sacramento $111
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sacramento $222
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Sacramento and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Sacramento or Victoria? 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.

Hotels in Sacramento


Hotels in Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sacramento $51
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $222
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $111
  • Round Trip Private Transfer in Sacramento Airport to Calistoga: $296

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Seaplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Hotel Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $87
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Vancouver: Seaplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $206

Is it cheaper to fly into Sacramento or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 day
    Sacramento $53
    Victoria $27

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $44
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $146

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sacramento $19
    Victoria $45

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

Tours and Activities in Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $77
  • 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $204
  • 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $245
  • 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $286
  • Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $204
  • Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $94
  • Butchart & Beyond: The Grand Victoria Tour: $329
  • COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $98
  • Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $51
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Downtown Victoria Food & City Tour: $59
  • Evening Sip, Savor, Stroll Tour: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sacramento $12
    Victoria $16

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
  • Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $101
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $134
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $439


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

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


Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Victoria?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sacramento is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sacramento in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Victoria averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Victoria. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Sacramento during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sacramento in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Sacramento is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 64°F (18°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Victoria. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Victoria. Most visitors come to Sacramento for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. Sacramento is a little warmer than Victoria in the winter. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Victoria. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Sacramento or Victoria in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Victoria.

In the spring, Sacramento is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sacramento in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Victoria averages at about 10°C (49°F).

Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Victoria. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Sacramento

Sacramento Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)