A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Carmel-by-the-Sea vs. Eugene for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Eugene can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene?

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Eugene, we can see that Eugene is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Eugene would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eugene than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene?

Eugene has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Eugene. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In July, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally cooler than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 63°F (17°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In July, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Eugene. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Carmel-by-the-Sea as well as Eugene. Many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a little warmer than Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carmel-by-the-Sea averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Eugene. Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene in the Winter?

Both Eugene and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Carmel-by-the-Sea is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In January, Carmel-by-the-Sea usually receives less rain than Eugene. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eugene in the Spring?

Both Eugene and Carmel-by-the-Sea during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Carmel-by-the-Sea is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Carmel-by-the-Sea average around 56°F (13°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Carmel-by-the-Sea usually gets less rain in April than Eugene. Carmel-by-the-Sea gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Eugene and Carmel-by-the-Sea