Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Ketchikan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan and Eugene can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Ketchikan or Eugene?
Ketchikan
Ketchikan, Alaska is located at the southern end of the well-known Alaskan inside passage. It is often called the beginning of the last frontier, because of it's location near the southern entrance of Alaska. It is a beautiful and quaint town, that leaves you feeling like you may have gone back in time with its storefront lined streets and natural beauty. Ketchikan has been called some of the most beautifully stunning wilderness area in the world. It is known as the Salmon Capital of the World due to the superior century old fishing industry in the area. The Native Culture in Ketchikan is extremely rich and it is home to the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian tribes. The nearby Tongass rainforest provides red cedar trees for the popular totem poles, which are abundant in the area.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKetchikan $220Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Ketchikan is $220, 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 Ketchikan and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKetchikan $136Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKetchikan $272Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Ketchikan and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Ketchikan 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: Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ketchikan $39Eugene $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Bus Ride$1.00
Is it cheaper to fly into Ketchikan or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Ketchikan 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 dayKetchikan $53Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of dining costs in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Slice of Pie & Drink$5.00
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.Ketchikan $46Eugene -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ketchikan
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Ketchikan are as follows:
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Ticket to Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show$35
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Duck Tour (one person)$38
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Bear Viewing Tour$83
Tours and Activities in Ketchikan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ketchikan are as follows:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Husky Walking Tour: $49
- City Highlights Totem Parks and Sightseeing: $59
- Saxman Native Village and Ketchikan Highlights Private Tour: $69
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $72
- Ketchikan Duck Tour: $75
- Totem Pole, Wildlife & City Trolley Tour: $85
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $85
- From Potlatch Totem Park and Herring Cove Tour: $85
- Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience and Ketchikan Tour: $89
- Alaska Native Cultural Immersion Experience: $89
- Cruisin' and Boozin' - 90 minute Historical Walking Tour of Sites and Bars: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKetchikan $23Eugene -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Ketchikan and Eugene, we can see that Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ketchikan or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ketchikan. When comparing the sizes of Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan 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 Ketchikan or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ketchikan and Eugene. Many visitors come to Ketchikan in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Ketchikan is cooler than Eugene. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ketchikan in July average around 58°F (15°C), and Eugene averages at about 68°F (20°C).
Ketchikan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Eugene. Ketchikan gets 7.6 inches (193 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKetchikan 58°F (15°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Eugene in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Ketchikan as well as Eugene. Most visitors come to Ketchikan for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Ketchikan is generally much colder than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Ketchikan average around 46°F (8°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. Ketchikan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in October than Eugene. Ketchikan gets 22.9 inches (581 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 4.3 inches (109 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKetchikan 46°F (8°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and Ketchikan are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Ketchikan because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Ketchikan can be very cold. Ketchikan is much colder than Eugene in the winter. The daily temperature in Ketchikan averages around 34°F (1°C) in January, and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. It's quite rainy in Ketchikan. In January, Ketchikan usually receives more rain than Eugene. Ketchikan gets 14.9 inches (379 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 7.1 inches (181 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKetchikan 34°F (1°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Ketchikan or Eugene in the Spring?
Both Eugene and Ketchikan during the spring are popular places to visit. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Ketchikan this time of year.
In the spring, Ketchikan is much colder than Eugene. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ketchikan in April average around 44°F (6°C), and Eugene averages at about 51°F (11°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ketchikan. Ketchikan usually gets more rain in April than Eugene. Ketchikan gets 11.3 inches (286 mm) of rain, while Eugene receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKetchikan 44°F (6°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Ketchikan
| Ketchikan | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 34°F (1°C) | 14.9 inches (379 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 38°F (3°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 39°F (4°C) | 10.6 inches (270 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 44°F (6°C) | 11.3 inches (286 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 49°F (9°C) | 9.3 inches (237 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 54°F (12°C) | 8.2 inches (209 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 58°F (15°C) | 7.6 inches (193 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 59°F (15°C) | 11.1 inches (281 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 54°F (12°C) | 13.2 inches (335 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 46°F (8°C) | 22.9 inches (581 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 40°F (4°C) | 17.3 inches (441 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 36°F (2°C) | 15.7 inches (398 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.