Which place is cheaper, Carmel-by-the-Sea or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.
Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.
If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.
If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.
Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $142Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $142, while the average daily cost in Carmel-by-the-Sea is $0.00. 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 Eureka Springs and Carmel-by-the-Sea in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Carmel-by-the-Sea -
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Carmel-by-the-Sea $0.00
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Carmel-by-the-Sea
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Carmel-by-the-Sea Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Carmel-by-the-Sea $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Private Transfer from Monterey Port to San Francisco City Hotels: $137
- Private Transfer from Monterey Port to San Francisco Airport(SFO): $137
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Prices for flights to both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Eureka Springs 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 dayEureka Springs $19Carmel-by-the-Sea $153
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Thai Cooking Class in Monterey: $99
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Carmel-by-the-Sea -
Tours and Activities in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Carmel-by-the-Sea are as follows:
- 1-Hour Monterey and Cannery Row Sea Car Tour: $79
- 17 Mile Drive: A Self-Guide Audio Tour of Pebble Beach’s Historical Highlights: $9.99
- 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $68
- 2-Hour Monterey and Pacific Grove Sea Car Tour: $149
- 2.5-Hour Electric Bike Tour Along 17 Mile Drive of Coastal Monterey: $65
- 3-Hour Monterey Bay Winter Whale-Watching Tour: $70
- 3-Hour Monterey, Cannery Row and Pacific Grove Sea Car Tour: $189
- Big Sur Electric Bike Tour Along Old Coast Road: $225
- Big Sur Self-Driving Audio Tour: Highway 1, Pacific Coast Highway: $17
- Big Sur's Old Coast Road eBike Tour: $250
- Carmel Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour: $139
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Carmel-by-the-Sea -
Sample the Local Flavors in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Carmel-by-the-Sea:
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $149
- Wine Tasting and Walking Tour of Carmel-by-the-Sea: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Eureka Springs is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Eureka Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Eureka Springs than you might in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Carmel-by-the-Sea?
Carmel-by-the-Sea has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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.
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.