Which city is cheaper, Sacramento or Washington?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Washington and Sacramento can help you decide which place is right for you.
Washington, DC is the capital city of the United States of America. It is also a city rich in history and culture. The city dates back to 1791 when the states of Maryland and Virginia donated the land to create the capital. In 1846, Congress returned the land that was ceded by Virginia and in 1871 it created a single municipal government with the remaining area. Today, Washington, DC has a population of over 600,000 people. The metropolitan area includes suburbs in Maryland and Virginia and has a population of about 5.8 million.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Washington is $155, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $225. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Washington and Sacramento in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Washington or Sacramento? 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.
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Some typical examples of transportation costs in Washington are as follows:
Also for Washington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Washington 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Washington:
For Washington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Washington.
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Washington:
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Washington and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Washington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Washington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Washington 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 Washington.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Washington and Sacramento. The hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Washington this time of year.
In the summer, Washington is around the same temperature as Sacramento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Washington in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Sacramento is about 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Washington, it's very sunny this time of the year. Washington usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. Washington gets 278 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Washington usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Washington gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Washington as well as Sacramento. Many travelers come to Washington 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, Washington is generally cooler than Sacramento. Temperatures in Washington average around 60°F (15°C), and Sacramento stays around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. In the autumn, Washington often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Washington gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets more rain in October than Sacramento. Washington gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Sacramento and Washington are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Washington in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Washington can get quite cold in the winter. Washington is much colder than Sacramento in the winter. The temperature in Washington is usually 35°F (1°C) in January, and Sacramento stays around 45°F (7°C).
Washington usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sacramento during winter. Washington gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Washington usually receives less rain than Sacramento. Washington gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Sacramento and Washington during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Washington for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Washington is around the same temperature as Sacramento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Washington in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Sacramento is about 58°F (15°C).
In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Washington. In the spring, Washington often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Washington gets 228 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.
Washington usually gets more rain in April than Sacramento. Washington gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Washington | Sacramento | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 35°F (1°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Feb | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Dec | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
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