Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston or Fairfield?
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 Boston and Fairfield. 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: Boston or Fairfield?
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
Fairfield
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoston $255Fairfield $131
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 Fairfield in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Fairfield $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Fairfield $194
Compare Hotels in Boston and Fairfield
Looking for a hotel in Boston or Fairfield? 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Fairfield Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Fairfield -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $960
- Flynn Cruiseport Private Transfer to Boston: $681
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $242
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $167
- Limo Private Transfer Boston to Logan International Airport : $160
- Limo Private Transfer Logan International Airport to Boston: $160
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Fairfield?
Prices for flights to both Fairfield 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBoston $49Fairfield $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $60
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $80
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $99
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
Typical Food Prices in Fairfield
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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El Pollo Loco Lunch (for 3)$17
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Hometown Buffet Dinner (for 3)$44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boston $33Fairfield $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1-Day Tour to Portland-Maine from Boston: $175
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $421
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $216
- A Stroll through Time: Group Tour of Beacon Hill & Boston Common: $29
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Boston Harbor: $44
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.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Fairfield -
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Salem Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
Sample the Local Flavors in Fairfield
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
- Olive Oil, Cheese, and Wine Tasting with Local Expert: $133
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Fairfield, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Fairfield?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Boston and Fairfield, 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 Boston or Fairfield?
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 Boston or Fairfield in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Boston as well as Fairfield. Most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Boston is around the same temperature as Fairfield in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Fairfield fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fairfield. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In the summer, Boston often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBoston 73°F (23°C)Fairfield 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Boston or Fairfield in the Autumn?
Both Fairfield and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Boston is cooler than Fairfield. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Fairfield averages at about 62°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. Boston usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Boston usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoston 54°F (12°C)Fairfield 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Boston or Fairfield in the Winter?
Both Fairfield and Boston during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. In January, Boston is generally much colder than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
In the winter, Boston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Fairfield. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoston 29°F (-2°C)Fairfield 46°F (8°C)
Should I visit Boston or Fairfield in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Fairfield. Many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Boston is much colder than Fairfield in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Fairfield fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boston usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Boston usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBoston 48°F (9°C)Fairfield 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Fairfield and Boston
| Boston | Fairfield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.