Which place is cheaper, Portland or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas 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.
Where Should I go: Saint Thomas or Portland?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesPortland Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Portland $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Portland is $211. 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 Saint Thomas and Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Portland $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $226
- Private Transfer from Astoria Cruise Port to Portland city hotels: $226
- Private Transfer from Portland City Hotels to Astoria Cruise Port: $226
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Beaverton hotel to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $94Portland $74
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour – Warm Donuts & History: $57
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Westside Food Tour Like a Local: $90
- Downtown Food Tour of 6 Local Favorites Dishes: $100
- Portland Downtown Food Tour: 6 Tastings of Local & Global Flavors: $109
- Alphabet District Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
- Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise: $127
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Portland $25
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $104
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $87
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- A Guided Walking Tour of Vibrant Downtown Portland: $44
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $85
- Astoria Full Day Private Tour : $169
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Capture your Oregon Adventures in a Magical Place: $189
- Coffee Roasters of Portland Eastside Walking Tour : $55
- Coffee, Donuts & Chocolate Tour : $69
- Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour - Full Day: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Power Through Portland Bar Crawl: $12
- Private or Shared Party Bike Pub Crawl: $25
- Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Oregon Priority Wine Tasting Pass: $40
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $48
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Fun Pasta Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Fun Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $99
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Urban Wine Tasting Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Portland, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Portland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Portland 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 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas or Portland?
Portland has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Portland in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Portland. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Portland in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Portland in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Portland. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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.
In the autumn, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Thomas in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Portland averages at about 55°F (13°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, 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. In January, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 26°C (78°F), and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 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, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Portland in the Spring?
Both Portland and Saint Thomas during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Portland in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Portland. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Portland | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.