Which place is cheaper, Portland or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs or Portland, 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: Eureka Springs or Portland?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Eureka Springs Prices
USA PricesPortland Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $155Portland $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $155, while the average daily cost in Portland is $211. 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 Eureka Springs and Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs or Portland? 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: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $226
- Private Transfer from Astoria Cruise Port to Portland city hotels: $226
- Private Transfer from Portland City Hotels to Astoria Cruise Port: $226
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Beaverton hotel to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland and Eureka Springs 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 dayEureka Springs $32Portland $74
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour – Warm Donuts & History: $57
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Westside Food Tour Like a Local: $90
- Downtown Food Tour of 6 Local Favorites Dishes: $100
- Portland Downtown Food Tour: 6 Tastings of Local & Global Flavors: $109
- Alphabet District Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
- Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise: $127
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Portland $25
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $104
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $87
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- A Guided Walking Tour of Vibrant Downtown Portland: $44
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $85
- Astoria Full Day Private Tour : $169
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Capture your Oregon Adventures in a Magical Place: $189
- Coffee Roasters of Portland Eastside Walking Tour : $55
- Coffee, Donuts & Chocolate Tour : $69
- Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour - Full Day: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEureka Springs -Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Power Through Portland Bar Crawl: $12
- Private or Shared Party Bike Pub Crawl: $25
- Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Oregon Priority Wine Tasting Pass: $40
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $48
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Fun Pasta Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Fun Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $99
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Urban Wine Tasting Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Portland, we can see that Portland is more expensive. And not only is Eureka Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eureka Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eureka Springs 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 Portland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland than you might in Eureka Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 230 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs and Portland, 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.
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.