Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Monterey?
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 Monterey 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 Monterey 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: Monterey or Eugene?
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
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 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Monterey Prices
USA PricesEugene Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMonterey $211Eugene $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Monterey is $211, while the average daily cost in Eugene is $190. 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 Monterey and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMonterey $90Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMonterey $180Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Monterey and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Monterey 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: Monterey Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Monterey $32Eugene $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Monterey or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Monterey 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 dayMonterey $98Eugene $71
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.Monterey $27Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo: $23
- Mist, Mayhem & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $24
- Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour: $62
- Cannery Row Kayak Tour: $65
- Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $65
- Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide: $70
- Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide: $75
- 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
- Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $75
- "Family Friendly" Scenic E-Bike Tour along 17 Mile Dr: $79
- 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMonterey $21Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $206
When comparing the travel costs between Monterey and Eugene, we can see that Monterey is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Monterey Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Monterey or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Monterey 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 Monterey 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 Monterey or Eugene in the Summer?
Both Eugene and Monterey during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Monterey is generally cooler than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Monterey average around 63°F (17°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
Monterey usually gets less rain in July than Eugene. Monterey 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 JulyMonterey 63°F (17°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Monterey or Eugene in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Monterey and Eugene. The shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
Monterey is a little warmer than Eugene in the autumn. The daily temperature in Monterey averages around 62°F (17°C) in October, and Eugene fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Eugene receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Monterey usually receives less rain than Eugene. Monterey gets 0.6 inches (14 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 OctoberMonterey 62°F (17°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Monterey or Eugene in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Monterey as well as Eugene. Many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Monterey is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the winter temperatures in Monterey in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Eugene averages at about 41°F (5°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. Monterey usually gets less rain in January than Eugene. Monterey gets 2.3 inches (58 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 JanuaryMonterey 51°F (11°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Monterey or Eugene in the Spring?
Both Eugene and Monterey are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In April, Monterey is generally a little warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Monterey average around 56°F (13°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
In April, Monterey usually receives less rain than Eugene. Monterey gets 1.1 inches (29 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 AprilMonterey 56°F (13°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Monterey
| Monterey | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.