Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Gatlinburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Gatlinburg or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Gatlinburg and Eugene can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Gatlinburg or Eugene?
Gatlinburg
Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGatlinburg $190Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Gatlinburg is $190, 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 Gatlinburg and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGatlinburg $80Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGatlinburg $160Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Gatlinburg and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Gatlinburg 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.
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: Gatlinburg Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gatlinburg $35Eugene $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Gatlinburg or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Gatlinburg 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 dayGatlinburg $85Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Gatlinburg
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Gatlinburg:
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Chinese Food Dinner (for 2)$21
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gatlinburg $24Eugene -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gatlinburg
For Gatlinburg, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Photos$22
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Horseback Riding (for 2)$55
Tours and Activities in Gatlinburg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gatlinburg.
- Museum of the Cherokee People Admission Ticket: $8.00
- Roaring Fork Trail Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $8.49
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Cherokee to Asheville) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Rocky Top Mountain Coaster Admission Ticket in Pigeon Forge: $18
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pigeon Forge by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours: $25
- Blue Ridge Parkway: Audio Driving Tour: $25
- Scenic Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $25
- Ghosts of the Smokies Haunted Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGatlinburg $15Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Gatlinburg
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Gatlinburg:
- Famous Moonshine & Wine Tour From Pigeon Forge: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gatlinburg and Eugene, we can see that Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gatlinburg or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg or Eugene?
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 Gatlinburg or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Gatlinburg as well as Eugene. Many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the summer for the hiking.
In the summer, Gatlinburg is a little warmer than Eugene. Typically, the summer temperatures in Gatlinburg in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Eugene averages at about 68°F (20°C).
Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gatlinburg usually gets more rain in July than Eugene. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGatlinburg 81°F (27°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Eugene in the Autumn?
Both Eugene and Gatlinburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Gatlinburg is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Gatlinburg average around 63°F (17°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In October, Gatlinburg usually receives less rain than Eugene. Gatlinburg gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGatlinburg 63°F (17°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and Gatlinburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Gatlinburg can be very cold. Gatlinburg is cooler than Eugene in the winter. The daily temperature in Gatlinburg averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg usually gets less rain in January than Eugene. Gatlinburg gets 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGatlinburg 40°F (5°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Gatlinburg or Eugene in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gatlinburg and Eugene.
In the spring, Gatlinburg is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the spring temperatures in Gatlinburg in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Eugene averages at about 51°F (11°C).
In April, Gatlinburg usually receives more rain than Eugene. Gatlinburg gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGatlinburg 62°F (17°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Gatlinburg
| Gatlinburg | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (27°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 74°F (24°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 42°F (5°C) | 6.3 inches (161 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.