Should you visit Boise or Eugene?
Should I visit Boise or Eugene? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Boise
The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho, Boise is an urban center with the adventure of the outdoors just a step away. The metropolis itself has an active arts community and a lively downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, hosting musical festivals throughout the year and several theater groups that operate in the city. There is even a Department of Arts and History that was created with the goal of promoting the arts, culture, and history of the city among its residents and visitors.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Eugene or Boise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boise is $116, while the average daily cost in Eugene is $128. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Boise and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $120 in Boise For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $156 for a double occupancy room in Eugene.
Food
Boise food costs typically run travelers around $36 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
While meal prices in Eugene can vary, the average travelers spends about $33 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Eugene should cost around $13 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Eugene is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Boise $36
Eugene $33
Typical Food prices in Boise
For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boise
For Boise, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Vegan Food Tour Experience in Boise:
$91
Typical Food prices in Eugene
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:
Local Transportation
Boise's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $27 per person, per day on transportation in Boise.
The average price of local transportation around Eugene is $30 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boise
Also for Boise, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Boise Air Terminal Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
Is it cheaper to fly into Boise or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Boise 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Boise can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $24 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Boise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:
Tours and Activities in Boise
For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
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Sunday Brunch Tour in Downtown Boise:
$77
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Culinary and Cultural Tour of Boise:
$81
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Boise Booze and Bites Cocktail Tour:
$91
Tours and Activities in Eugene
Here are a few actual costs in Eugene for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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2 day Tour from Eugene to the Oregon Coast:
$446
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2 day tour to from Eugene to Crater Lake:
$463
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Eugene City Tour:
$62
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Eugene Elevated Wine Experience:
$175
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Oregon Coastal Tour: Florence to Yachats:
$104
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Urban Street Art Tour:
$60
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Boise spend on average $19 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Eugene
Also in Eugene, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Eugene Brewery Tour:
$85
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Eugene Distillery Trail:
$85
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Willamette Valley Wine Tasting Tour from Eugene:
$120
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Eugene Highlights and Wine Tasting Combo:
$155
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Eugene Highlights and Wine Tasting Combo:
$159
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4–Hour Guided Distillery Tour:
$253
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Private Wine Tour with Tastings from Eugene:
$350
When comparing the travel costs between Boise and Eugene, we can see that Eugene is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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