A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Winston-Salem vs. Sacramento for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento? 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.

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a welcoming, friendly, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a undiscovered, laid back, and relaxed city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Winston-Salem and Sacramento: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples


Is there more to do in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Winston-Salem than Sacramento. While Sacramento is larger than Winston-Salem, Winston-Salem has more sights and attractions for tourists. Winston-Salem is more popular for its historical sights, while Sacramento is known for its museums. Winston-Salem is popular for it's southern character and quaint college campuses. It is also home to Old Salem. Sacramento is popular for its history and state capital.

How is Winston-Salem different from Sacramento?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sacramento and Winston-Salem. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Sacramento is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Winston-Salem is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Sacramento offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

Winston-Salem is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Old Salem has a nice concentration of museums and gardens. Outside of the old town you'll find several art museums like the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts and the Reynolda House Museum of American Art.


Is the Food Better in Winston-Salem or Sacramento? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Winston-Salem and Sacramento.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Winston-Salem area. North Carolina barbecue is popular around town. The city is also the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and during the holiday season you should sample the local Moravian Cookies.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Sacramento. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for Nightlife?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Evening events are good in both Winston-Salem and Sacramento.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Winston-Salem. Local breweries are popping up around town. You'll also find active nightlife venues near the colleges and universities.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Sacramento. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for its Old Town?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Winston-Salem. Nearby Old Salem is filled with historic museums, gardens, and restaurants. A ticket is required for most of the venues, but the atmosphere and architecture are charming.

Sacramento does not have a historic old town.


Is the Shopping Better in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Both Winston-Salem and Sacramento are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Winston-Salem to go shopping. You'll find a mix of larger shopping malls, retail outlets, and shopping centers around town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Sacramento. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for Families?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Winston-Salem or Sacramento.

Winston-Salem is a family-friendly place to visit. There are interactive museums like the Kaleideum science museums. There are also outdoor parks and playgrounds, kid-friendly restaurants, and a children's theater.

Sacramento is a family-friendly city. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for Couples?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Most people don't think of either Winston-Salem or Sacramento as a couple's destination.

Winston-Salem is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are restaurants and movie theaters that make for a nice date night. There are also parks and walks that will get you outdoors.

Sacramento is not the best destination for a couple to visit. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.


Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for Students?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Winston-Salem is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University as well as colleges such as Salem College give parts of the city a collegiate vibe.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Both Winston-Salem and Sacramento offer decent public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Winston-Salem. There are bus routes, but they are limited in their frequency and convenience, making a car essential for most visitors.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Winston-Salem or Sacramento a more walkable city?

Winston-Salem
Sacramento

Winston-Salem and Sacramento both are decent when exploring on foot.

Winston-Salem is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most pedestrian-friendly part of town, but most of the city requires a car.

Sacramento is generally not a very walkable city. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.


For even more information, also check out Is Winston-Salem Worth Visiting? and Is Sacramento Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sacramento or Winston-Salem?

How long in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Winston-Salem or Sacramento to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sacramento than Winston-Salem if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sacramento.


  • How many days in Winston-Salem or Sacramento? Ideal Length of Stay
    Winston-Salem 1-2 
    Sacramento 1-2

One day in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

With museums and nightlife around the welcoming city of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Winston-Salem, one day is sufficent for most.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the laid back destination of Sacramento. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Winston-Salem, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sacramento. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Winston-Salem, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the undiscovered destination of Sacramento. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


A week in Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Winston-Salem is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the city of Sacramento. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Sacramento or Winston-Salem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $150, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $281. 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 Winston-Salem and Sacramento in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Sacramento $111
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Sacramento

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem 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.

Hotels in Winston-Salem


Hotels in Sacramento


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: Winston-Salem Hotel Prices and Sacramento Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Sacramento $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento

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

  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento hotel/address- RoundTrip Private Transfer: $122
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $218
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $219
  • Round Trip Private Transfer in Sacramento Airport to Calistoga: $295
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Mammoth Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $295

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Prices for flights to both Sacramento and Winston-Salem 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
    Winston-Salem $42
    Sacramento $53

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Sacramento $19

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks: $10

Tours and Activities in Sacramento

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

  • Gold Rush & Ghosts SmartPhone App Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $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
  • A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12
  • Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Winston-Salem $24
    Sacramento $12

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 - Amador County CA: $30
  • Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125


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

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


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Winston-Salem. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem and Sacramento, 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 Winston-Salem or Sacramento?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento in the Summer?

Both Sacramento and Winston-Salem during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sacramento in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 81°F (27°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the summer, Winston-Salem often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Sacramento 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Sacramento. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Sacramento for the shopping scene during these months.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Sacramento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Winston-Salem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Sacramento 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Sacramento. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Winston-Salem is much colder than Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Winston-Salem in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Sacramento averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Sacramento 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Sacramento in the Spring?

Both Sacramento and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Winston-Salem is generally a little warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 61°F (16°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Sacramento 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Sacramento and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Sacramento
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 58°F (15°C) 1.3 inches (32 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 76°F (24°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 75°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 72°F (22°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.1 inches (27 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 45°F (7°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)