Which place is cheaper, Niagara Falls or Boulder?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boulder or Niagara Falls?
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 Niagara Falls. 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 Niagara Falls?
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.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, Ontario sits on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, across the border from Niagara Falls, New York. Together these cities have claimed themselves to be the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" a status that is probably little more than a marketing ploy. That said, Niagara Falls, Ontario, is perhaps a quainter and more natural version of its American counterpart. The town has existed as a tourist destination for hundreds of years, with its main attraction, obviously, being Niagara Falls. Today, millions of visitors come to see the falls every year. It's truly an impressive sight, and there is no shortage of entertainment options while you're in the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoulder $191Niagara Falls $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Boulder is $191, while the average daily cost in Niagara Falls is $122. 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 Niagara Falls in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoulder $102Niagara Falls $74
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoulder $204Niagara Falls $148
Compare Hotels in Boulder and Niagara Falls
Looking for a hotel in Boulder or Niagara Falls? 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 Niagara Falls Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boulder $51Niagara Falls $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Niagara Falls
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Niagara Falls:
- Buffalo Niagara Airport to Holiday Valley - Round-Trip Transfer: $263
- Round-Trip Private-Safe Transfer Between Buffalo Airport & Niagara Falls Canada: $262
- ROUNDTRIP Ground Transfer Buffalo Niagara Int Airport (BUF)-Niagara Falls Canada: $207
- Private Half Day Niagara Wine Tour Visit with Transfer Included: $200
- Private Transfer: Niagara Falls, ON to Toronto downtown: $197
- Departure Private Transfer: Niagara Falls to Toronto Airport YYZ in Luxury SUV: $195
- Private Transfer: Niagara Int’l Airport (IAG) USA to Niagara Falls, ON: $194
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto, Canada (Downtown): $178
- Transfer Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer Niagara Falls, Canada to Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ: $160
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Niagara Falls Ontario to Toronto (YYZ) Airport: $159
- Private Arrival Transfer: Buffalo Niagara International Airport to Niagara Falls, New York: $138
Is it cheaper to fly into Boulder or Niagara Falls?
Prices for flights to both Niagara Falls 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 $54Niagara Falls $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Niagara Falls
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Niagara Falls.
- The Wing Ride: The Hidden History of Chicken Wings Food Tour: $105
- Walking Food Tour in Niagara Falls: $108
- Niagara Falls Sightseeing Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $130
- Sunset Wine Tour with Dinner Niagara On The Lake: $146
- Guided Night Tour w/ Dinner & Hotel Transfer: $149
- Light up The Falls Small Group Tour with Fallsview Dinner: $155
- Evening Lights Tour with Skylon Tower Dinner: $177
- Sunset Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Dinner: $178
- Niagara Wine Tasting and three courses Dinner: $192
- Niagara Falls Evening Lights Tour With Skylon Tower Dinner: $192
- Night on Niagara Walking Tour with Fireworks Cruise + Dinner: $200
- Small Group Night Tour w/ Dinner & Light Show: $204
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boulder $33Niagara Falls $20
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Boulder, CO: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Boulder, CO: $15
- Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Downtown Boulder Mural Walking Tour: $30
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Astronomy Tour: $45
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
- "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
Typical Entertainment Prices in Niagara Falls
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Niagara Falls are as follows:
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Maid of the Mist$37
Tours and Activities in Niagara Falls
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Niagara Falls are as follows:
- Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds Made in America Tour: $92
- Niagara Falls USA Winter Tour Cave, Tower, winery & Much More : $90
- Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Winery Tour from Buffalo,NY: $298
- 1 Hour Private Vineyard Dome Experience in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $45
- 30 Minute Niagara Falls Airplane Tour: $156
- 45 Minutes Whirlpool Tour in Niagara Falls: $32
- 7 Hour Niagara Falls USA Tour from Buffalo: $269
- All American Tour : $99
- All Attractions Niagara Falls American Tour with Boat Much More: $120
- All Inclusive Niagara Falls USA Tour W/Boat Ride,Cave & Much MORE: $126
- All Niagara Falls USA Tour Maid of Mist Boat & So Much More : $130
- All inclusive Niagara Evening Light Show, Boat Ride & Cave Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoulder $27Niagara Falls $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Niagara Falls
Also in Niagara Falls, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation : $56
- Small Group Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tasting Tour: $96
- Sip, Swirl and Savour Chocolate & Wine Tour : $103
- Niagara Craft Brewery Tour Niagara Falls: $110
- 3.5 Hours NOTL E-Bike Wine Tour: $111
- Niagara All American All inclusive Boutique Wine Tour : $114
- Half Day Wine & Cheese Tour - Niagara On The Lake Wine Tour: $119
- Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake: $141
- myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings: $148
- Relaxing three courses Lunch & Wine Tour through Niagara's Wine Country: $148
- Niagara-on-the-Lake Small Group Wine Tour with Picnic Lunch: $149
- Luxury Buffalo Brewery Tour: $149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boulder and Niagara Falls, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Niagara Falls much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Niagara Falls would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boulder Expensive? and Is Niagara Falls Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boulder or Niagara Falls?
Boulder has a larger population, and is about 12% larger than the population of Niagara Falls. When comparing the sizes of Boulder and Niagara Falls, 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.
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.