Which place is cheaper, Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas 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.
Where Should I go: Saint Thomas or Sacramento?
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.
Sacramento
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesSacramento Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Sacramento $320
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $320. 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 Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Sacramento $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Sacramento
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.
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: Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Sacramento $51
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 Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer : $294
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $74
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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 $94Sacramento $92
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chinese Wonton Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
- Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $115
- Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
- Discover Midtown - Delicious Walking Food Tour: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Sacramento $19
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 Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 60 Minute Adventures - The Escape Game at The Galleria: $42
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $15
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $15
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $15
- City Cruises Rock the Yacht Cocktail Cruise 21+: $49
- Downtown Sacramento Mural and Art Walking Tour : $45
- Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $9.75
- Granite Adventure at Quarry Park Adventures Rocklin, CA: $59
- Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Mini Golf Experience 9 Hole Course in Sacramento: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Sacramento $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Apple Hill Wine Tasting Tours And Placerville wine tasting tours: $169
- Old Vine Express Train Ride with Wine Tasting: $174
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Saint Thomas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands and Sacramento 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 Saint Thomas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas.
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 Sacramento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Sacramento?
Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas or Sacramento?
Sacramento 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 Sacramento in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Sacramento. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Sacramento in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Thomas is a little warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Thomas in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Sacramento averages at about 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Sacramento 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Sacramento in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Sacramento. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Sacramento for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 28°C (82°F), and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sacramento. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Sacramento 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Sacramento in the Winter?
Both Sacramento 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 winter months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Sacramento in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Sacramento fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Sacramento during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Sacramento 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Sacramento in the Spring?
Both Sacramento 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.
In the spring, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Sacramento. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Thomas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Sacramento averages at about 58°F (15°C).
In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in April than Sacramento. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Sacramento 58°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Sacramento and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Sacramento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.