A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Key Largo vs. Portland for Families, Backpackers, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Key Largo or Portland?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Key Largo and Portland can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches. See Key Largo travel costs.

Portland

Portland is a tree-lined, nature-filled, and scenic city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Portland offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Portland travel costs.

Key Largo and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Key Largo or Portland?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Portland than Key Largo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Portland is better known for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Key Largo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is well known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Portland is well known for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. Also, Portland is famous for Washington Park.

How is Key Largo different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland and Key Largo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Key Largo or Portland?

Portland is adequate for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Key Largo or Portland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Key Largo and Portland can be an enjoyable experience.

Key Largo may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Portland offers some easy restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Portland is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a city with good options for its music scene. However, Key Largo is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Portland. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Key Largo is not a live music destination.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Portland is not a resort destination.

In Key Largo, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Portland is not a resort destination.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Portland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Key Largo is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Portland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Beaches?

Key Largo is a island with good options for its beaches. However, Portland is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Key Largo. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Portland is not a beach destination.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland is great for hiking. However, Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Portland for the hiking trails. 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.

Key Largo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Key Largo or Portland?

Portland is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Portland has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Key Largo or Portland More Beautiful?

Portland is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Key Largo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Key Largo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Families?

Key Largo is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Key Largo is an extremely popular island to visit for families. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Couples?

Both Key Largo and Portland are notable destinations for a couple's getaway.

Key Largo is a good island for couples to visit. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Portland is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Portland. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Portland. 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.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

Is Key Largo or Portland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Portland is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Portland offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Key Largo or Portland a more walkable city?

Portland is great for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

Portland is a very walkable destination. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

Key Largo is not a walkable island. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Key Largo Worth Visiting? and Is Portland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland or Key Largo?

How long in Key Largo or Portland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Key Largo and Portland. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Portland. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Key Largo, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland.

Families should spend more time in Key Largo than Portland. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Key Largo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Portland than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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.

One day in Key Largo or Portland?

The island of Key Largo offers scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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.

You'll find live music and shopping around the city of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Key Largo or Portland?

Key Largo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the nature-filled destination of Portland. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Key Largo or Portland?

Key Largo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Key Largo, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the laid-back city of Portland. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Key Largo or Portland?

Key Largo is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Key Largo has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

Portland is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key Largo and Portland, we can see that Key Largo is more expensive. And not only is Portland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portland 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 Key Largo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key Largo than you might in Portland.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Key Largo Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Key Largo or Portland?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Key Largo 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo or Portland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Key Largo and Portland. The summer months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

In the summer, Key Largo is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key Largo in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key Largo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during summer. Key Largo gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Key Largo usually receives more rain than Portland. Key Largo gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Key Largo or Portland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Key Largo as well as Portland. Additionally, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Key Largo is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Key Largo average around 78°F (26°C), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In the autumn, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Portland. Key Largo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Key Largo usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Key Largo gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Key Largo or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Key Largo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Key Largo for the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland can get quite cold in the winter. Key Largo is much warmer than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Key Largo averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. Key Largo usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Key Largo gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Portland. In January, Key Largo usually receives less rain than Portland. Key Largo gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Key Largo or Portland in the Spring?

Both Portland and Key Largo during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Key Largo in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Key Largo is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key Largo in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key Largo. In the spring, Key Largo often gets more sunshine than Portland. Key Largo gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Key Largo usually gets more rain in April than Portland. Key Largo gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Portland and Key Largo