Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo or Philadelphia, 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: Sao Paulo or Philadelphia?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySao Paulo $53Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Sao Paulo and Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo or Philadelphia? 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96Philadelphia $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- airport transfer: $113
- Viracopos Airport VCP to Poços de Caldas Thermal Arrival Transfer: $80
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to São Pedro Thermal Arrival Transfer: $38
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-RoundTrip Transfer: $77
- Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Águas de Lindoia-Arrival Transfer: $38
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in São Paulo HTL-APT(GRU): $61
- Transfer from São Paulo to Port of Santos: $139
- Transfer GRU airport Guarulhos <> Sao Paulo / Hotel / CGH airport: $64
- Transfer CGH Airport Congonhas <> Sao Paulo city / Hotel: $36
- Sao Paulo to Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) - Private Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo hotels to Campinas Airport (VCP) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Sao Paulo Airport to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $176
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia and Sao Paulo 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
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Food Meals for one daySao Paulo $15Philadelphia $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08Philadelphia $28
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- 2 Hours Private São Paulo Museum of Modern Art Tour: $240
- 3 Beaches Hiking Santo Amaro Island - Paradise Route Tour from São Paulo: $125
- 3H CITY TOUR (pick up / delivery within Sao Paulo city limits): $151
- 4-Hour Private Tour in Sao Paulo: $300
- 4-hour Sum-up Private Tour Of São Paulo Including Its Major Attractions : $134
- 4WD One Day Tour visiting Water Fall and the Big Stone from Sao Paulo: $260
- 5 Hour City Tour in São Paulo: $91
- 5-hour Pelé Private Tour: The King of Football : $162
- 5-hour Private Street Art Tour Of São Paulo – The Coolest Urban Art Scenes: $174
- 5-hour Private Tour Of São Paulo With Its Main Sights – Optional Airport Pickup: $162
- 5-hour private tour in São Paulo (departures from hotels and airport): $155
- 5h City Tour (pick up & delivery within SaoPaulo city): $249
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Ben Franklin Yacht Brunch Cruise with Buffet: $65
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $558
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
- Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Private Walking Tour: $250
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day): $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America and Philadelphia 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia than you might in Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Philadelphia?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo and Philadelphia, 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 Sao Paulo or Philadelphia?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Philadelphia has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Philadelphia in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Philadelphia. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphiain July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
Philadelphia receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Philadelphiain July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Philadelphia. Additionally, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Sao Paulo is much warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C)in October.
Sao Paulo usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Philadelphiain October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Philadelphia in the Winter?
Both Philadelphia and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C)in January.
In July, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Philadelphiain January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Philadelphia in the Spring?
Both Philadelphia and Sao Paulo during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally much warmer than Philadelphiain April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphiain April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.