Comparison · Denver vs Portland · United States
Denver vs Portland
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Denver for Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre; choose Portland for Food carts, Powell's City of Books and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,579 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,579 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Denver
- June–September
- Best time for Portland
- June–September
Side by side
| Denver | Portland | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Mile High City, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Craft beer | Food carts, Powell's City of Books and Craft beer |
| Best time to visit | June–September | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $210–$350 | $200–$340 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | December, 8°C (46°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | DEN | PDX |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Denver for…
Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Denver sits on the high plains at about 1,609 metres — one mile above sea level — with the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains filling the western skyline. Its compact downtown links the restored Union Station, Larimer Square and LoDo with the Golden…
Choose Portland for…
Food carts, Powell's City of Books and free sights. Portland, Oregon's largest city, straddles the Willamette River about 100 km inland from the Pacific, with Mount Hood on the eastern horizon. Its compact downtown and the Pearl District hold Powell's City of Books and the riverfront park, while the hills of…
Top sights compared
| # | Denver | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre | Powell's City of Books |
| 2 | Denver Art Museum | International Rose Test Garden |
| 3 | Colorado State Capitol | Portland Japanese Garden |
| 4 | Denver Union Station | Lan Su Chinese Garden |
| 5 | Larimer Square | Pittock Mansion |
Food compared
| Denver | Portland |
|---|---|
| Green chile | Food cart meals |
| Smothered breakfast burrito | Craft doughnuts |
| Denver omelette | Marionberry pie |
| Rocky Mountain oysters | Craft beer |
Which is cheaper?
Denver and Portland cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $210–$350 in Denver and $200–$340 in Portland (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Portland on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,579 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Denver or Portland cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $210–$350 in Denver and $200–$340 in Portland (estimates).
+Is Denver or Portland better for a first trip?
Pick Denver for Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, or Portland for Food carts, Powell's City of Books and free sights.
+How far is Denver from Portland?
About 1,579 km in a straight line.