Which place is cheaper, Portland or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Portland? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Portland?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Saint Petersburg and Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Portland $97
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Portland? 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: Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Portland $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
-
Metro Passes$1.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $88
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $19Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.69
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $94
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $105
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Portland $24
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $102
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $86
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- Aerial adventure above Portland, Oregon: $189
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $75
- Afternoon Multnomah Falls and Gorge Waterfalls Tour: $85
- Air Tour of Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge: $289
- Air Tour of Multnomah Falls & Columbia Gorge from Portland: $159
- Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99
- All Day Northern Oregon Wineries and Forest Bike Tour: $245
- Beautiful Air Tour of the Columbia River Gorge : $99
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- Bed and Breakfast Wine Tour - Small Group, Joinable/Sharable: $198
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Portland is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland than you might in Saint Petersburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Portland?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Portland in the Summer?
Both Portland and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Portland. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), 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 Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Portland in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Portland. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Portland during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 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, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Portland in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Portland. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Portland. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Portland. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) |
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.