Should you visit Boston or Seattle?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Boston and Seattle. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Seattle
Situated on the Puget Sound in the state of Washington, Seattle is the largest city in the United States Pacific Northwest. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the water and mountains and filled with evergreen trees. It's also the home of some famous American institutions including Starbucks Coffee, Amazon, and Microsoft. The population of almost 700,000 continues to grow. As of 2014, the city was considered the fastest growing major city in the United States. The entire metropolitan area has about 3.6 million residents, making it the 15th largest metro area in the US. The natural beauty, growing economy, and educational base give Seattle a youthful vibe that keep the city young and energetic.
Which city is cheaper, Seattle or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $203, while the average daily cost in Seattle is $156. 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 Boston and Seattle in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $264 for a double occupancy room in Boston.
A hotel room in Seattle is about $188 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Boston travelers spend around $40 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.
The price of a meal in Seattle can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $38 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
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Food
Meals for one day
Boston $40
Seattle $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
-
Boston North End Pizza Tour:
$49
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Historic Taverns and Pizza Tour:
$49
-
Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
$49
-
Haunted Pizza Tour:
$66
-
Italian Food Tour with Pizza, Meats, Cheese, & Bread:
$69
-
Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour:
$71
-
Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston):
$79
-
Boston Buffet Dinner Cruise:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End:
$103
-
Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet:
$105
-
Boston Dinner Cruise On The Odyssey:
$111
-
Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$118
Typical Food prices in Seattle
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seattle are as follows:
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Expresso & cookie at Pier 70
$7.00
-
Cashews at Pike Place Market
$6.00
-
6 Mini Donuts at Pike Place Market
$3.25
-
Chinese Lunch in International District (for 2)
$21
-
Breakfast at Lowel's in Pike Place Market (for 2)
$32
-
Breakfast at French Cafe (for 2)
$37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seattle
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seattle.
-
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 1 Hour:
$34
-
Pike Place Market: Walking Food Tour:
$48
-
Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour:
$56
-
Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours:
$58
-
Pacific Northwest-Style Dinner and Pairing in Seattle:
$61
-
Exclusive: Early-Access Food Tour of Pike Place Market:
$73
-
Street Theater and Dinner in Seattle's Fremont District:
$86
-
Seattle Dinner Cruise:
$115
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Boston is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $28 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boston.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $18 per day to get around in Seattle.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi
$35
-
Subway Daily Pass
$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS:
$28
-
Boston Airport Shared Transfer Service:
$29
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport to Hotel:
$30
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Boston Airport:
$30
-
Airport Transfer by Private Car Service:
$55
-
Private Arrival Transfer Boston Airport to Boston City:
$60
-
Private Departure Transfer from Boston City to Boston Airport:
$60
-
Private Airport Transfer: Logan International Airport (BOS) to Boston:
$64
-
Arrival Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston Business or Luxury Vehicle:
$67
-
Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle:
$67
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Boston City Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS):
$69
Typical Local Transportation prices in Seattle
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Seattle:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seattle
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seattle:
-
Private Airport Transfer: Seattle to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA):
$40
-
Private Departure Transfer from Seattle City to SEA Seattle Airport:
$46
-
Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$50
-
Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive Sedan:
$50
-
Seattle Arrival Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$50
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Seattle Tacoma Airport to Seattle Downtown:
$60
-
Transfer in Private Vehicle from Seattle Downtown to Tacoma Airport:
$60
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From Seattle Tacoma International Airport to Kent City - One Way:
$62
-
Private Departure Transfer to Seattle Tacoma Airport SEA:
$64
-
Seattle Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Executive SUV:
$65
-
Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) to Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$71
-
Cruise Port to Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA) - Departure Private Transfer:
$71
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Seattle?
Prices for flights to both Seattle 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Boston typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $12 per person, per day in Seattle. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
-
Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston:
$3.95
-
Self-Guided Boston Christmas Tour:
$4.50
-
Boston's Freedom Trail - Smart Phone guided (GPS) walking tour - go anytime:
$5.00
-
The Great Cannoli Tour:
$5.00
-
Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$5.00
-
The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour:
$5.00
-
Freedom Trail Self-Guided Tour:
$6.33
-
Boston's Freedom Trail, 3 tours in 1, Smart Phone Guided Tour (GPS) - go anytime:
$7.99
-
Harvard: 70-Minute Hahvahd Tour:
$12
-
Public Tour of MIT:
$12
-
Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Freedom Trail Lantern Tour:
$14
Tours and Activities in Seattle
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seattle are as follows:
-
Private Auto-guided Tour of Seattle:
$4.96
-
Historic Ballard audio tour: A slice of Seattle's quirky history:
$5.00
-
Skip the Line: Sky View Observatory Admission Tickets:
$10
-
Smith Tower Straight Up Observatory Access Ticket:
$12
-
Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$14
-
Seattle Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
-
Sky View Observatory General Admission Ticket:
$20
-
Seattle Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Haunted Walking Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Seattle Walking Ghost Tour:
$23
-
The Museum of Flight Admission Ticket:
$25
-
City Harbor Cruise:
$26
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
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Boston per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about $13 on alcoholic beverages in Seattle per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail:
$40
-
Craft Brewery Beer Tour:
$82
-
Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour:
$90
-
North End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Back Bay Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
South End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
Sample the Local Flavors in Seattle
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Seattle:
-
Seattle Bar Hunt: Sleepless in Seattle Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Haunted Seattle Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Georgetown Brewery Tour:
$72
-
Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour:
$98
-
Half-Day Coffee, Chocolate, and Wine Tour:
$99
-
Seattle Coffee, Chocolate and Wine Tour:
$112
-
Seattle Wine Tour (Hourly):
$135
-
7-Hour Wenatchee White Water Rafting and Wine Tour:
$145
-
From Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting:
$209
-
Seattle All-Inclusive: Hike Mt. Rainier and Wine Tasting:
$263
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Seattle, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Seattle.
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