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

Should you visit Gainesville or Eugene?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Eugene, 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: Gainesville or Eugene?

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Gainesville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $221, while the average daily cost in Eugene is $160. 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 Gainesville and Eugene in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $119
    Eugene $97
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $238
    Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Eugene

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Eugene? 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.

Hotels in Gainesville


Hotels in Eugene


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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $40
    Eugene $37

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Eugene?

Prices for flights to both Eugene and Gainesville 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 day
    Gainesville $70
    Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

Typical Food Prices in Eugene

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Eugene:


  • Sam Bonds Food and Music (for 2)
    $16
  • Morning Glory Cafe Breakfast (for 2)
    $12

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $44
    Eugene -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
  • Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $49
    Eugene -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Eugene, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Eugene?

Eugene has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville or Eugene in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Eugene. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Gainesville is a little warmer than Eugene. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gainesville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Eugene averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Eugene. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Eugene 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Eugene in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Eugene. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Gainesville is generally much warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 71°F (22°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite rainy in Eugene. Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Eugene 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Eugene in the Winter?

Both Eugene and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gainesville is much warmer than Eugene in the winter. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 54°F (12°C) in January, and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Eugene. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Eugene 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Eugene in the Spring?

Both Eugene and Gainesville during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Gainesville is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gainesville in April average around 69°F (20°C), and Eugene averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Eugene. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Eugene 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Eugene and Gainesville

Gainesville Eugene
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 41°F (5°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 45°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 48°F (9°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (34 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (8 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.1 inches (28 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 55°F (13°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 47°F (8°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 42°F (5°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)