Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Boulder?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boulder or Eugene?
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 Boulder and Eugene. 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.
Where Should I go: Boulder or Eugene?
Boulder
Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.
Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.
Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoulder $191Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Boulder is $191, 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 Boulder and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoulder $102Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoulder $204Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Boulder and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Boulder 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: Boulder Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boulder $51Eugene $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Boulder or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Boulder 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 dayBoulder $54Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Boulder
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:
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2 Coffees$8.75
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Nice Dinner for Two$71
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.Boulder $33Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Boulder CO: $15
- Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Boulder Ghost Tour: $34
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Guided Astronomy Tour: $45
- "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
- Easy Rider eBike Tour: $95
- Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
- E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
- Ride Boulder's Best Guided eBike E-Bike Tour! Electric eBike : $100
- Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoulder $27Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Boulder
Also in Boulder, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Boulder Haunted Pub Tour: $34
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boulder and Eugene, we can see that Boulder 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder 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 Boulder Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boulder or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Boulder 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.
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.