Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Eugene?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eugene or Fairbanks?
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 Eugene and Fairbanks. 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: Eugene or Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEugene $160Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Eugene is $160, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Eugene and Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEugene $97Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEugene $194Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Eugene and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Eugene or Fairbanks? 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: Eugene Hotel Prices and Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eugene $37Fairbanks $66
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Eugene or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Eugene 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 dayEugene $41Fairbanks $63
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
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eugene -Fairbanks $65
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
- Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEugene -Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eugene and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks 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 Eugene Expensive? and Is Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eugene or Fairbanks?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Eugene and Fairbanks, 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 Eugene or Fairbanks?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Eugene or Fairbanks in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Fairbanks. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Eugene is a little warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Eugene in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
Eugene usually gets less rain in July than Fairbanks. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEugene 68°F (20°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
Both Fairbanks and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Eugene is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 55°F (13°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. In October, Eugene usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEugene 55°F (13°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Fairbanks in the Winter?
Both Fairbanks and Eugene during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during winter. Eugene is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 41°F (5°C) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. Eugene usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEugene 41°F (5°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Fairbanks in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Fairbanks. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. In the spring, Eugene is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Eugene in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
In April, Eugene usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEugene 51°F (11°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Eugene
| Eugene | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 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.