Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Chicago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chicago or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Chicago and Eugene can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Chicago or Eugene?
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
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 dayChicago $288Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $288, 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 Chicago and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChicago $198Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChicago $396Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Chicago 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: Chicago Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chicago $37Eugene $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $34
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $151
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $201
- Chicago Airport (MDW) to Chicago - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $151
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $104
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Round-Trip Transfer: $113
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Private Transfer to Chicago: $188
Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Chicago 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 dayChicago $49Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $63
- Fulton Market Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
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.Chicago $47Eugene -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.59
- Chicago Cubs Baseball Game Ticket at Wrigley Field: $9.73
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Chicago Cubs Baseball Game Ticket at Wrigley Field: $10
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChicago $25Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Eugene, we can see that Chicago 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago 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 Chicago Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chicago or Eugene?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Eugene. When comparing the sizes of Chicago 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 Chicago 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 Chicago or Eugene in the Summer?
Both Eugene and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Chicago is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Chicago average around 77°F (25°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Chicago. In July, Chicago usually receives more rain than Eugene. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 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 JulyChicago 77°F (25°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Chicago or Eugene in the Autumn?
Both Eugene and Chicago during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Chicago is around the same temperature as Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chicago averages around 56°F (14°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chicago usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 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 OctoberChicago 56°F (14°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Chicago or Eugene in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Eugene. The winter months attract visitors to Chicago because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Chicago can be very cold. In the winter, Chicago is much colder than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chicago in January average around 25°F (-4°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).
Eugene receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Chicago usually receives less rain than Eugene. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 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 JanuaryChicago 25°F (-4°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Chicago or Eugene in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Eugene. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In April, Chicago is generally around the same temperature as Eugene. Daily temperatures in Chicago average around 52°F (11°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the spring. Chicago usually gets more rain in April than Eugene. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 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 AprilChicago 52°F (11°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Chicago
| Chicago | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 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.