Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Berkeley?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkeley or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Berkeley or Eugene, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Berkeley or Eugene?
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
Eugene
At the southern end of the Willamette Valley, Eugene is most recognized as the home of the University of Oregon. It's a smaller city with a liberal population that is generally concerned about environmental issues. A popular experience in Eugene is to go to the Saturday Market, which has been around since 1970 and is the oldest open air market in the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkeley $190Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkeley is $190, while the average daily cost in Eugene is $160. 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 Berkeley and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkeley $131Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkeley $262Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Berkeley and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Berkeley or Eugene? 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: Berkeley Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkeley $30Eugene $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco - Round-Trip Private Car Transfer: $126
- Oakland Airport (OAK) to San Francisco hotel/address - Private Arrival Transfer: $63
- Oakland hotel or address to Oakland Airport (OAK) - Departure Private Transfer: $43
- Private Arrival Transfer from Oakland Airport (OAK) to Oakland: $93
- Private Transfer: Oakland International Airport to Hotel: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkeley or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Berkeley 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 dayBerkeley $36Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
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Chocolates at Sweet Dreams$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
- North 3-Hour Food Tour: $116
- Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $130
- Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $140
Typical Food Prices in Eugene
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:
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Sam Bonds Food and Music (for 2)$16
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Morning Glory Cafe Breakfast (for 2)$12
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkeley $30Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Berkeley
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:
- Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $12
- Comedy Oakland at The Washington Inn Show Tickets: $20
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
- Self-Guided Oakland Tour in an Urban Excursion: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Oakland Athletics Baseball Game Ticket at RingCentral Coliseum: $26
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
- Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $135
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkeley $13Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:
- Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
- Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkeley and Eugene, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Eugene much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eugene would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eugene 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Eugene.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Berkeley Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Berkeley or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Berkeley and Eugene, 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 Berkeley or Eugene?
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 Berkeley or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkeley and Eugene. Many travelers come to Berkeley for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Berkeley is generally cooler than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 63°F (17°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In July, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Eugene. Berkeley gets 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Berkeley or Eugene in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Berkeley as well as Eugene. Many visitors come to Berkeley in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Berkeley is a little warmer than Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Berkeley averages around 63°F (17°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. Berkeley usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Berkeley gets 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkeley 63°F (17°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Berkeley or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and Berkeley are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Berkeley for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In the winter, Berkeley is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Berkeley in January average around 50°F (10°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In January, Berkeley usually receives less rain than Eugene. Berkeley gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkeley 50°F (10°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Berkeley or Eugene in the Spring?
Both Eugene and Berkeley during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Berkeley because of the natural beauty.
In April, Berkeley is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Berkeley average around 58°F (14°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Berkeley usually gets less rain in April than Eugene. Berkeley gets 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkeley 58°F (14°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Berkeley
| Berkeley | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 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.