Which place is cheaper, Portland or Eugene?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Eugene or Portland?
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 Portland. 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 $160Portland $163
The average daily cost (per person) in Eugene is $160, while the average daily cost in Portland is $163. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEugene $97Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEugene $194Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Eugene and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Eugene or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eugene $37Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport to The Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $186
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $87
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Eugene or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $41Portland $43
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 Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Portland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $93
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Portland Food Tour : $99
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eugene -Portland -
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
- Ghosts, Poltergeists, and Psychopaths Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEugene -Portland -
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour - Full Day Tour: $225
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour with Lunch: $230
When comparing the travel costs between Eugene and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eugene Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eugene or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Eugene. When comparing the sizes of Eugene and Portland, 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 Portland?
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 Portland in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Eugene as well as Portland. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Eugene is generally around the same temperature as Portland. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 68°F (20°C), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Eugene usually gets less rain in July than Portland. Eugene gets 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEugene 68°F (20°C)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland and Eugene are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
Eugene is around the same temperature as Portland in the autumn. The daily temperature in Eugene averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. In October, Eugene usually receives more rain than Portland. Eugene gets 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEugene 55°F (13°C)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Portland in the Winter?
Both Portland and Eugene during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland. In the winter, Eugene is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Eugene in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).
Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. Eugene usually gets more rain in January than Portland. Eugene gets 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEugene 41°F (5°C)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Eugene or Portland in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Eugene and Portland. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Eugene is generally around the same temperature as Portland. Daily temperatures in Eugene average around 51°F (11°C), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In April, Eugene usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland. Eugene gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEugene 51°F (11°C)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Eugene
| Eugene | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.