Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Eugene?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eugene or Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona. 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 Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEugene $160Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Eugene is $160, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEugene $97Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEugene $194Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Eugene and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Eugene or Kailua-Kona? 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 Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eugene $37Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Eugene or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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 $41Kailua-Kona $58
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 Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eugene -Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEugene -Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eugene and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eugene or Kailua-Kona?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Eugene and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
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 Eugene or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Kailua-Kona.
In July, Eugene is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 68°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In July, Eugene usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEugene 68°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Kailua-Kona.
Eugene is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Eugene receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Eugene usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEugene 55°F (13°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
In the winter, Eugene is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eugene in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. It's quite rainy in Eugene. In January, Eugene usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEugene 41°F (5°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Eugene during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Eugene is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 51°F (11°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
Eugene usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEugene 51°F (11°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Eugene
| Eugene | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.