Which place is cheaper, Hood River or Boulder?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boulder vs. Hood River for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Boulder or Hood River?
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 Boulder and Hood River. 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: Boulder or Hood River?
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.
Hood River
The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoulder $191Hood River $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Boulder is $191, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $145. 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 Boulder and Hood River in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoulder $102Hood River $78
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoulder $204Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Boulder and Hood River
Looking for a hotel in Boulder or Hood River? 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: Boulder Hotel Prices and Hood River Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boulder $51Hood River $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Boulder or Hood River?
Prices for flights to both Hood River and Boulder 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 dayBoulder $54Hood River $40
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boulder $33Hood River $18
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $105
- Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $105
- Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Boulder Walking History Tour: $20
- City Highlights Private Walking Tour with Guide: $430
- Guided E-Bike Tour: $110
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Downtown A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Moonlight Adventure Hike in Boulder: $99
Tours and Activities in Hood River
For Hood River, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gift Basket Factory Tour: $31
- Orchard Tour: $31
- Railbikes Experience: $211
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoulder $27Hood River $19
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boulder and Hood River, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Hood River much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hood River would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hood River 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 Boulder would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boulder than you might in Hood River.
Which is Bigger, Boulder or Hood River?
Boulder is bigger, and its population is about 14.6 times larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the population of Boulder vs. Hood River, 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 and the activities that interest you.
Related Articles for Boulder
Related Articles for Hood River
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.
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