A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Columbia vs. Eugene for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

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.

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

Which is Bigger, Columbia or Eugene?

Eugene has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Columbia 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 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. Most visitors come to Columbia for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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.

Should I visit Columbia or Eugene in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Eugene. The autumn months attract visitors to Columbia because of the shopping scene.

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.

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. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

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.

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.

Typical Weather for Eugene and Columbia