Should you visit Aspen or Boulder?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Aspen and Boulder can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
Boulder
Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.
Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.
Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.
Which city is cheaper, Boulder or Aspen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Aspen is $235, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $153. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Aspen and Boulder in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Aspen is $272. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Boulder, $164 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Boulder, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $82, such as in a hostel.
Food
The price of a meal in Aspen can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $68 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Boulder travelers spend around $43 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Aspen $68
Boulder $43
Typical Food prices in Boulder
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:
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2 Coffees
$8.75
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Nice Dinner for Two
$71
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $45 per day to get around in Aspen.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Boulder than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $41 on transportation in Boulder on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
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Private Transfer: Aspen to Denver International Airport (DEN):
$1,321
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Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$796
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Private Eagle County Regional Airport Transfer to Aspen:
$400
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Private Departure Transfer to Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
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Private Arrival Transfer from Aspen Airport (ASE):
$36
Is it cheaper to fly into Aspen or Boulder?
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Aspen 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $36 per person, per day in Aspen. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing expenses in Boulder, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $26 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour:
$40
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Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour:
$40
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Glimpse of Aspen Tour:
$40
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
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Listen to a Tour Guide While you Drive between Boulder and Vail:
$3.75
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Downtown An audio tour around this weird and beautiful town:
$5.00
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A natural healing experience in a private epsom salt bath.:
$16
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Astronomy Tour:
$41
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Holistic & Medicinal Tour:
$42
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Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$44
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Wild West-End Hiking Tour:
$49
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Half-Day eBike Mural Tour in Boulder:
$90
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Electric Cruiser Fat Tire Bike Tour - Best of Boulder:
$97
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Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour:
$104
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High-Vibes Foodie Tour:
$106
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Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Boulder:
$173
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Aspen may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $16 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Boulder, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $22.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aspen and Boulder, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Boulder much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boulder would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boulder 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Boulder.
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