Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Raleigh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Raleigh or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Raleigh or Eugene? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Raleigh or Eugene?
Raleigh
Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRaleigh $189Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, 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 Raleigh and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRaleigh $104Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRaleigh $208Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Raleigh $37Eugene $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $125
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
- Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Raleigh 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 dayRaleigh $57Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:
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The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)$84
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.
- Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104
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.Raleigh $37Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Raleigh
Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Durham by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $13
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
- True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Raleigh African American History Tour: $16
- Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
- Guided Walking Historian Tour in Downtown Durham: $16
- Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $26
- Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
- Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRaleigh $27Eugene -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and Eugene, we can see that Raleigh 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 Raleigh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Raleigh 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 Raleigh Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Eugene?
Raleigh has a larger population, and is about 90% larger than the population of Eugene. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Eugene in the Summer?
Both Eugene and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Raleigh is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 79°F (26°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite rainy in Raleigh. In July, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Eugene. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 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 JulyRaleigh 79°F (26°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Eugene in the Autumn?
Both Eugene and Raleigh during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the city's sights and attractions.
Raleigh is a little warmer than Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Raleigh usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 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 OctoberRaleigh 61°F (16°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Eugene in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Eugene. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.
It's quite cold in Raleigh in the winter. In the winter, Raleigh is cooler than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Raleigh in January average around 40°F (5°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).
Eugene receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Raleigh usually receives less rain than Eugene. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 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 JanuaryRaleigh 40°F (5°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Raleigh or Eugene in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Eugene. Many travelers come to Raleigh for the activities around the city.
In April, Raleigh is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 60°F (16°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Raleigh usually gets more rain in April than Eugene. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 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 AprilRaleigh 60°F (16°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Raleigh
| Raleigh | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.