Which place is cheaper, Portland or Wisconsin Dells?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Wisconsin Dells 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.
Wisconsin Dells is a fun-filled, lighthearted, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.
Portland is a eclectic, tree-lined, and nature-filled city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Portland. Although Wisconsin Dells and Portland are popular destinations, Portland has more sights and attractions for tourists. Portland is very popular for its music, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Wisconsin Dells attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, and resorts. Wisconsin Dells is more touristy than Portland and is popular for its many waterparks and unapologetically playful atmosphere. Portland is famous for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. It is also well known for Washington Park.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland and Wisconsin Dells. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Plenty of people visit the reasonable sights and museums in both Wisconsin Dells and Portland.
Wisconsin Dells offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of art galleries in the area, but most visitors spend the majority of their time at the theme parks and waterparks.
While most people don't head to Portland specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Wisconsin Dells is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Wisconsin Dells. Pizza, pasta, burgers, and steak in a family-friendly atmosphere are the most common options in the area. There are also a few fine dining restaurants as well as pubs and brunch places to choose from.
You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.
Wisconsin Dells is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.
Wisconsin Dells has a large number of nightlife venues. In the evening the fun-filled atmosphere takes on a different vibe. There are bars, clubs, casinos, and shows that keep things lively throughout the evening.
Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.
Portland is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Portland is active and vibrant. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.
Wisconsin Dells is not a live music destination.
Wisconsin Dells is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Portland is not a resort destination.
Wisconsin Dells has a handful of resorts to choose from. Many of the waterparks in the area have affiliated resorts that offer family-friendly entertainment.
Portland is not a resort destination.
Portland is a great destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Wisconsin Dells is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.
You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.
Many people include a hike when visiting Wisconsin Dells. Visitors often forget that this was originally a destination for its natural beauty. There are still many hiking trails in the area with some of the favorites found at Mirror Lake State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, and Chimney Rock Private Park.
Portland is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its shopping areas.
Portland offers some nice shopping areas. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.
Wisconsin Dells has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. You'll find shopping malls and shopping centers, as well as gift shops in the area.
Wisconsin Dells is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Wisconsin Dells is an extremely popular city to visit for families. While it used to be known for its impressive sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River, today it has a more touristy atmosphere with theme parks and amusement parks. It's also become known as the "Water Park Capital of the World", and it won't disappoint. There are both indoor and outdoor waterparks as well as train rides, boat rides, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.
With fun activities for couples, both Wisconsin Dells and Portland make for a nice place to visit.
Wisconsin Dells makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are a number of resorts with spas and romantic atmospheres. There are also wineries and plenty of entertainment options in the area.
Portland is a good city for couples to visit. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.
Portland is a great destination for backpackers. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
Portland is a great city to visit for backpackers. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.
Wisconsin Dells is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. You'll find campgrounds in the area, but most places are very built up and don't have the natural setting that backpackers appreciate.
Portland is a popular place for students. However, Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.
Wisconsin Dells is not popular with students.
Portland is a popular place for its public transit. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.
Public transit is quite limited in Wisconsin Dells. There's no real public transportation in the area.
Portland is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Wisconsin Dells is a city with minimal options for its ease of walking around.
Portland is a very walkable city. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.
Wisconsin Dells is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you really need a car to access everything that the area has to offer.
For even more information, also check out Is Wisconsin Dells Worth Visiting? and Is Portland Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Wisconsin Dells and Portland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than in Portland. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Wisconsin Dells, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland.
Families should spend more time in Wisconsin Dells than Portland. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Wisconsin Dells, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Portland than Wisconsin Dells. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Portland that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Wisconsin Dells 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 Portland.
The city of Wisconsin Dells offers food and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
The eclectic destination of Portland offers live music and shopping. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Wisconsin Dells, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
The city of Portland offers shopping and nightlife. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.
Wisconsin Dells is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Portland is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Wisconsin Dells is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.
Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Portland. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Wisconsin Dells is $142, 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 Wisconsin Dells and Portland in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Wisconsin Dells 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.
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Portland and Wisconsin Dells 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.
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wisconsin Dells and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Wisconsin Dells much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Wisconsin Dells would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wisconsin Dells Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Portland has a larger population, and is about 220 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Wisconsin Dells 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Wisconsin Dells as well as Portland. Many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. 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, Wisconsin Dells is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 74°F (24°C), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wisconsin Dells this time of the year. In the summer, Wisconsin Dells often gets less sunshine than Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 309 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.
Wisconsin Dells usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Portland and Wisconsin Dells are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. 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.
Wisconsin Dells is cooler than Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Wisconsin Dells averages around 52°F (11°C) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Wisconsin Dells usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Wisconsin Dells gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Wisconsin Dells usually receives less rain than Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Portland and Wisconsin Dells during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Wisconsin Dells because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Wisconsin Dells can be very cold. In the winter, Wisconsin Dells is much colder than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Wisconsin Dells in January average around 19°F (-7°C), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).
In the winter, Wisconsin Dells often gets more sunshine than Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Wisconsin Dells usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 1 inches (25 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wisconsin Dells and Portland. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Wisconsin Dells is generally around the same temperature as Portland. Daily temperatures in Wisconsin Dells average around 49°F (10°C), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. Wisconsin Dells usually receives less sunshine than Portland during spring. Wisconsin Dells gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Wisconsin Dells usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland. Wisconsin Dells gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Wisconsin Dells | Portland | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 19°F (-7°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Mar | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Apr | 49°F (10°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
May | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Jun | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
Jul | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
Oct | 52°F (11°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
Dec | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 mm) |