Which place is cheaper, Eugene or San Diego?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Diego or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Diego and Eugene. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Diego or Eugene?
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Diego $202Eugene $160
The average daily cost (per person) in San Diego is $202, 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 San Diego and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Diego $115Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Diego $230Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in San Diego and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in San Diego 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: San Diego Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Diego $24Eugene $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego City by Business Car: $111
- Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego by Executive SUV: $134
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfer: San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego in Luxury SUV: $115
- Departure Private Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $92
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $103
- Departure Private Transfer: San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Arrival Transfer - from San Diego Airport (SAN) by SUV: $82
- Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $56
- Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $50
- Private Transfer Airport Tijuana/Valle de Guadalupe (Ensenada) or back.: $176
- Private Transfer from San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego Port : $74
Is it cheaper to fly into San Diego or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and San Diego 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 daySan Diego $45Eugene $41
Typical Food Prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
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Mexican Lunch for Two$27
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Breakfast at Starbucks$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pizza and Gelato Tour in San Diego: $80
- Old Town Tequila and Tacos Walking Food Tour: $81
- San Diego Vegan Food Tour: $85
- Gaslamp Quarter Downtown San Diego Food Tour: $89
- Gaslamp Quarter Food Tour: $89
- San Diego Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $95
- San Diego, Seaport Village: Waterfront Walking Food Tour: $99
- Seaport Village Food Tour in San Diego : $99
- Guided Secret Food Tour: $102
- Scenic Buffet Dinner Cruise: $108
- San Diego Dinner Cruise: $116
- Gourmet Dinner Cruise: $118
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.San Diego $48Eugene -
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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San Diego Zoo$15
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Sea World Parking$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
- Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA: $4.49
- Waterfront Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.30
- A Seaside Stroll: La Jolla's Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Historical Walking Tour of San Diego: $10
- Beaches & Bluffs San Diego's Ultimate Coastal Driving Tour: $12
- San Diego Natural History Museum Ticket: $12
- Haunted Historic Whaley House - Self-Guided Tour: $14
- Apple Pies & Desert Skies: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Explore Balboa in a Private Tour of San Diego Hidden Gems: $20
- San Diego's Historic Treasures and Old Town Tour: $20
- Private Walking Tour and Gaslamp Adventure in San Diego: $20
- San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Diego $21Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
- History Tour Pub Crawl of Famous Gaslamp Quarter: $30
- Brewery Tour with Tastings and Food Pairings: $85
- Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $119
- Vino! Vino! Little Italy Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $125
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Valle de Guadalupe: $131
- Cruise & Booze Brewery tours : $149
- Baja Tour Guide wine tour: $169
- Sidecar Wine Tasting Tour: $199
- Brewery and Tap Room Sidecar Tour: $199
- California Sunset Brewery Tour: $199
- Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour in San Diego: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Diego and Eugene, we can see that San Diego 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 San Diego would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Diego 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 San Diego Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Diego or Eugene?
San Diego has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Eugene. When comparing the sizes of San Diego 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 San Diego 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 San Diego or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Diego as well as Eugene. The summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
San Diego is around the same temperature as Eugene in the summer. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 71°F (22°C) in July, and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
San Diego usually gets less rain in July than Eugene. San Diego gets 0 inches (1 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 JulySan Diego 71°F (22°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit San Diego or Eugene in the Autumn?
Both Eugene and San Diego are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.
In the autumn, San Diego is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Diego in October average around 68°F (20°C), and Eugene averages at about 55°F (13°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In October, San Diego usually receives less rain than Eugene. San Diego gets 0.4 inches (9 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 OctoberSan Diego 68°F (20°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit San Diego or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and San Diego during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Diego is generally much warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in San Diego average around 57°F (14°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
Eugene gets a good bit of rain this time of year. San Diego usually gets less rain in January than Eugene. San Diego gets 1.8 inches (46 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 JanuarySan Diego 57°F (14°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit San Diego or Eugene in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Diego and Eugene. Many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
San Diego is much warmer than Eugene in the spring. The daily temperature in San Diego averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In April, San Diego usually receives less rain than Eugene. San Diego gets 0.8 inches (20 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 AprilSan Diego 62°F (17°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and San Diego
| San Diego | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (46 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 59°F (15°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 62°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 57°F (14°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.