Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Eugene for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Columbia or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbia or Eugene? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Columbia or Eugene?
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbia $0.00Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, 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 Columbia and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbia -Eugene $97
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbia $0.00Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Columbia and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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: Columbia Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbia -Eugene $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbia or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Columbia 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
-
Food Meals for one dayColumbia $5.03Eugene $41
Typical Food prices in Eugene
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:
-
Sam Bonds Food and Music (for 2)$16
-
Morning Glory Cafe Breakfast (for 2)$12
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Columbia -Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Soda City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Columbia: $12
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayColumbia $88Eugene -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Columbia and Eugene, we can see that Eugene is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
Which is Bigger, Columbia or Eugene?
Eugene is bigger, and its population is about 25% larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the population of Columbia vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Columbia 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 Columbia or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbia and Eugene.
Columbia is a little warmer than Eugene in the summer. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Eugene. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyColumbia 82°F (28°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Eugene in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Eugene.
In the autumn, Columbia is a little warmer than Eugene. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Eugene averages at about 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberColumbia 64°F (18°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In January, Columbia is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In January, Columbia usually receives less rain than Eugene. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryColumbia 45°F (7°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Columbia or Eugene in the Spring?
Both Eugene and Columbia during the spring are popular places to visit.
Columbia is much warmer than Eugene in the spring. The daily temperature in Columbia averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Columbia usually gets more rain in April than Eugene. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilColumbia 64°F (18°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Columbia
| Columbia | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) |
Related Articles for Columbia
Related Articles for Eugene
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.
More City Comparisons
Washington vs. ColumbiaWashington vs. Eugene
Clearwater vs. Columbia
Clearwater vs. Eugene
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbia
Fort Lauderdale vs. Eugene
Gainesville vs. Columbia
Gainesville vs. Eugene
Jacksonville vs. Columbia
Jacksonville vs. Eugene
Miami vs. Columbia
Miami vs. Eugene
Orlando vs. Columbia
Orlando vs. Eugene
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia
Saint Petersburg vs. Eugene
Tallahassee vs. Columbia
Tallahassee vs. Eugene
Tampa vs. Columbia
Tampa vs. Eugene
Atlanta vs. Columbia
Atlanta vs. Eugene
Savannah vs. Columbia
Savannah vs. Eugene
New Orleans vs. Columbia
New Orleans vs. Eugene
Baltimore vs. Columbia
Baltimore vs. Eugene
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.