Which place is cheaper, Colorado Springs or Cincinnati?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Cincinnati or Colorado Springs? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Cincinnati is a hard-working, blue collar, and authentic city. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.
Colorado Springs is a outdoorsy, healthy, and welcoming mountain town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Colorado Springs than Cincinnati. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Colorado Springs is very popular for its skiing, food, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Cincinnati attracts visitors for its museums and shopping. Cincinnati is famous for its breweries and down-to-earth personality. Colorado Springs is famous for its many outdoor recreation areas, world-class parks, striking red sandstone formations, and beautiful mountain views. It is also well known for Pikes Peak.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Colorado Springs and Cincinnati. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Colorado Springs is a mountain town with a few options for winter skiing. However, Cincinnati is not a skiing destination.
Colorado Springs is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.
Cincinnati is not a skiing destination.
Cincinnati is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Colorado Springs is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
Many visitors head to Cincinnati specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.
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.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Colorado Springs. 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.
Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.
Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Cincinnati and Colorado Springs.
Cincinnati has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.
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.
Colorado Springs is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.
People visit Colorado Springs specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. 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.
Cincinnati is not a hiking destination.
Cincinnati is very good for shopping. However, Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Cincinnati is a great destination for shopping. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.
Colorado Springs is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Colorado Springs is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Colorado Springs is a very kid-friendly mountain town. 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.
Cincinnati offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.
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.
Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.
Cincinnati and Colorado Springs are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Cincinnati. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.
Colorado Springs is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.
Colorado Springs is a popular place for students. However, Cincinnati is not popular with students.
Colorado Springs is popular with students. It's a relatively affordable town with easy access to plenty of free activities like hiking, rock climbing, and more.
Cincinnati is not popular with students.
Cincinnati is very good for its public transit. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.
You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.
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.
Cincinnati is a great destination for its walkability. However, Colorado Springs is a mountain town with minimal options for its high level of walkability.
Cincinnati is very walkable. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.
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 Cincinnati Worth Visiting? and Is Colorado Springs Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cincinnati and Colorado Springs. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Colorado Springs than in Cincinnati. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cincinnati, and 2-3 days is enough time in Colorado Springs.
Families should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Cincinnati. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Colorado Springs, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Colorado Springs than Cincinnati. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Colorado Springs that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Cincinnati. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
With museums and nightlife around the outdoorsy mountain town of Colorado Springs, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
You'll find nightlife and shopping around the blue collar city of Cincinnati. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Colorado Springs, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this mountain town.
Cincinnati is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Colorado Springs, a popular mountain town, is full of activities for travelers. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
Cincinnati is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
Colorado Springs is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
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.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $183, while the average daily cost in Colorado Springs is $155. 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 Cincinnati and Colorado Springs in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati 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 specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Colorado Springs:
Prices for flights to both Colorado Springs and Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.
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.
Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colorado Springs:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Colorado Springs, we can see that Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati Expensive? and Is Colorado Springs Expensive?.
Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 18% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati 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.
Both Colorado Springs and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Cincinnati is generally a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 79°F (26°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
In July, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Colorado Springs and Cincinnati during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Cincinnati is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 58°F (15°C) in October, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Cincinnati usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Colorado Springs. Many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine during these months.
Colorado Springs can be very cold during winter. Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cincinnati is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cincinnati in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 26°F (-3°C).
In January, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Colorado Springs. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In April, Cincinnati is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 56°F (14°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
Cincinnati usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Cincinnati | Colorado Springs | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
Mar | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Oct | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
Dec | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |