Which place is cheaper, Colorado Springs or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Colorado Springs. 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.
Boston is a proud, loyal, and historic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Boston is a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food. See Boston travel costs.
Colorado Springs is a welcoming, friendly, and outdoorsy mountain town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. Colorado Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking. See Colorado Springs travel costs.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Boston than Colorado Springs, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Boston is more popular for its museums and attractions, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Colorado Springs is known for its skiing, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Boston is more touristy than Colorado Springs and is known for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also home to The Freedom Trail. Colorado Springs is popular for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Boston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Colorado Springs is a moderate mountain town for snow skiing. However, Boston is not a skiing destination.
Locals like to visit Colorado Springs to take advantage of their winter sports. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.
Boston is not a skiing destination.
Boston is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Boston that are not to be missed. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.
Colorado Springs offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Most people visit this area for the outdoor recreation, not the museums, but in town you'll find the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, and the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. The U.S. Olympic Complex Training Center is also a unique place to visit and well worth some time.
Boston is a great destination for theatre. However, Colorado Springs is not a theatre destination.
Boston has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.
Colorado Springs is not a theatre destination.
Boston is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.
Colorado Springs has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a combination of local restaurants that serve local items such as trout and bison, as well as your standard chain restaurants and more predictable American classics like burgers, pizza, and chicken fingers.
Boston is a great destination for nightlife. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
The people in Boston know how to have a good time. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.
If you're looking for night time activities Colorado Springs has a few options to choose from. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection. There are local bars along Tejon Street, or head through Downtown Colorado Springs for some of the most active nightlife.
Boston is very good for live music. However, Colorado Springs is not a live music destination.
Music lovers will find a few good venues in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.
Colorado Springs is not a live music destination.
Boston is a city with a few options for its beaches. However, Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.
Boston is a good spot to see the beach. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.
Colorado Springs is not a beach destination.
Boston is terrific for its historic old town. However, Colorado Springs does not have a historic old town.
Boston has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.
Colorado Springs does not have a historic old town.
Colorado Springs is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. However, Boston is not a hiking destination.
Colorado Springs is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are both world-famous hiking areas, as well as lesser known hikes that the locals often prefer. Some of the more famous places include Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, and Manitou Incline in Manitou Springs. For families, check out Seven Bridges Trail or Mount Muscoco Trail. Loud's Cabin is a longer trail that also includes Seven Bridges Trail.
Boston is not a hiking destination.
Boston is very good for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Boston is a great destination for shopping. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.
Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Colorado Springs is notable for its scenery and beauty. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its scenery and beauty.
Colorado Springs is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The town is surrounded by tons of natural beauty. In the area you'll find the Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park, and the Broadmoor Seven Falls.
Boston is a beautiful place to visit, too. The history, architecture, and world renowned university campuses all give this city its unique beauty.
Boston is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Boston is one of the most popular family destinations. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Colorado Springs is very family-friendly. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. There are many parks, hiking trails, and wildlife centers in the area that make for a fun outing. Popular activities include the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Boston and Colorado Springs both good destinations for a couple.
Boston is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.
Colorado Springs makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby. There are many hiking trails in easy reach of the town. Hot air balloon rides are also popular and offer an amazing view over the beautiful landscape.
Both Boston and Colorado Springs are good destinations for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Colorado Springs. Just outside of town you'll find campgrounds with all of the amenities that you might need. In town, there's also a hostel and several affordable accommodation options.
Boston is terrific for students. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Students come from all over the world to visit Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.
It's common for students to visit Colorado Springs. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.
Boston is terrific for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
The thorough and effecient public transit system of Boston can take you anywhere. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.
Public transit is quite limited in Colorado Springs. While there are buses, many people come to the area to visit Pikes Peak or several of the other nearby parks, all of which require a car.
Boston is terrific for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.
Getting around Boston on foot is easy. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.
Colorado Springs is generally not a very walkable city. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Boston Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Boston and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than in Colorado Springs. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Boston, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.
Families should spend more time in Boston than Colorado Springs. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Boston than Colorado Springs. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Colorado Springs if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boston.
People visit Boston because there is so much to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Colorado Springs. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
People visit Boston because there is so much to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Most people head to the area for the museums. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.
Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Boston is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people head to the area for the museums. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Colorado Springs. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $291, while the average daily cost in Colorado Springs is $205. 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 Boston and Colorado Springs in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Boston or Colorado Springs? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
Prices for flights to both Colorado Springs and Boston 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Colorado Springs:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Colorado Springs.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colorado Springs:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Colorado Springs, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Colorado Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colorado Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colorado 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Colorado Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Colorado Springs Expensive?.
Boston has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Boston and Colorado Springs, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Colorado Springs. Many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Boston is around the same temperature as Colorado Springs in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In July, Boston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Colorado Springs. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Boston as well as Colorado Springs. Many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Boston is a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 48°F (9°C).
Boston usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Colorado Springs and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.
The weather in Colorado Springs can be very cold. Boston can be very cold during winter. In January, Boston is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).
In January, Boston usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Colorado Springs and Boston during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.
Boston is a little warmer than Colorado Springs in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
Boston usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Boston | Colorado Springs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |