Which place is cheaper, Eugene or Santa Monica?
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 Santa Monica or Eugene?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Santa Monica 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: Santa Monica or Eugene?
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
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 Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Santa Monica Prices
USA PricesEugene Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Monica $248Eugene $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Monica is $248, 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 Santa Monica and Eugene in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Monica $123Eugene $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Monica $246Eugene $194
Compare Hotels in Santa Monica and Eugene
Looking for a hotel in Santa Monica 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: Santa Monica Hotel Prices and Eugene Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Monica $50Eugene $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Monica or Eugene?
Prices for flights to both Eugene and Santa Monica 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 daySanta Monica $91Eugene $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
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.Santa Monica $38Eugene -
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- Santa Monica Superhero Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
- Santa Monica Pier Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.49
- Santa Monica Sinister Sins & Sorrow Ghost Tour: $26
- Santa Monica Art Museum: General Admission Ticket: $28
- LA & Self-Guided Aerospace Legacy Audio Tour: $30
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
- Santa Monica Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills & Celebrity Home Tour: $49
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- Hollywood Tour with Walk of Fame Stop: $55
- Venice Beach and Santa Monica eBike Tour : $56
- Best of LA Tour with 3 Iconic Stops: $59
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Monica $21Eugene -
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Monica and Eugene, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Expensive? and Is Eugene Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Monica or Eugene?
Eugene has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica or Eugene in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Monica and Eugene. Most visitors come to Santa Monica for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Santa Monica is around the same temperature as Eugene in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 70°F (21°C) in July, and Eugene fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
In July, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Eugene. Santa Monica gets 0 inches (0 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 JulySanta Monica 70°F (21°C)Eugene 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Eugene in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Santa Monica as well as Eugene. The autumn months attract visitors to Santa Monica because of the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Santa Monica is much warmer than Eugene. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Monica in October average around 67°F (20°C), and Eugene averages at about 55°F (13°C).
It's quite rainy in Eugene. Santa Monica usually gets less rain in October than Eugene. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (6 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 OctoberSanta Monica 67°F (20°C)Eugene 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Eugene in the Winter?
Both Eugene and Santa Monica are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Santa Monica this time of year.
In January, Santa Monica is generally much warmer than Eugene. Daily temperatures in Santa Monica average around 57°F (14°C), and Eugene fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Eugene. In January, Santa Monica usually receives less rain than Eugene. Santa Monica gets 0.7 inches (17 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 JanuarySanta Monica 57°F (14°C)Eugene 41°F (5°C)
Should I visit Santa Monica or Eugene in the Spring?
Both Eugene and Santa Monica during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Santa Monica for the beaches.
Santa Monica is much warmer than Eugene in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Monica averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Eugene fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Santa Monica usually gets less rain in April than Eugene. Santa Monica gets 0.2 inches (4 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 AprilSanta Monica 61°F (16°C)Eugene 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Eugene and Santa Monica
| Santa Monica | Eugene | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Feb | 58°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Mar | 58°F (15°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Apr | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Jun | 66°F (19°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (34 mm) |
| Jul | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Aug | 71°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 70°F (21°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 67°F (20°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Dec | 58°F (14°C) | 0.6 inches (15 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.