A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Portland for Families, Attractions, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Sarasota or Portland?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sarasota and Portland. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Sarasota travel costs.

Portland

Portland is a laid-back, progressive, and quirky city. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Portland travel costs.

Sarasota and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Portland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Portland than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Portland is very popular for its music, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, and beaches. Sarasota is famous for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. 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.

How is Sarasota different from Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sarasota or Portland?

Sarasota is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. 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.

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

Sarasota 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 Sarasota. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

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.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Sarasota and Portland.

If you're looking for night time activities Sarasota has a few options to choose from. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Portland. 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.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Sarasota is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Portland. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Sarasota is not a live music destination.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a city with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Portland is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Portland is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Beaches?

Sarasota is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Portland is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Sarasota. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Portland is not a beach destination.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland is great for hiking. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Portland?

If you're looking to go shopping, Sarasota and Portland both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarasota. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Many visitors go to Portland to go shopping. 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.

Is Sarasota or Portland More Beautiful?

Portland is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Families?

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

Sarasota is an extremely popular city to visit for families. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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 Sarasota or Portland Better for Couples?

Sarasota and Portland both nice destinations for a couple.

Sarasota makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

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.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many 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.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota 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.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Portland is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Sarasota 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 generally limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Is Sarasota or Portland a more walkable city?

Portland is great for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination 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.

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Portland or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Portland?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Portland?

The city of Sarasota offers food and shopping. 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 city of Portland offers nightlife and live music. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

A weekend in Sarasota or Portland?

Sarasota 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 Sarasota, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Portland 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Portland, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Portland?

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

Portland 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.

A week in Sarasota or Portland?

Sarasota 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.

Portland is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarasota and Portland, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Portland?

Portland has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Portland in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Portland. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives less sunshine than Portland during summer. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sarasota gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Portland. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sarasota or Portland in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Portland. The autumn months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

Sarasota is much warmer than Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the autumn, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Portland. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Portland. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Should I visit Sarasota or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland. In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Sarasota gets 200 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, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Portland. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sarasota or Portland in the Spring?

Both Portland and Sarasota during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the spring, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Portland. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in April than Portland. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Portland and Sarasota