Which city is cheaper, Boulder or Colorado Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Colorado Springs and Boulder can help you decide which place is right for you.
Colorado Springs is a healthy, welcoming, and friendly mountain town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the nightlife.
Boulder is a biker-friendly, outdoorsy, and nature-filled city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boulder and Colorado Springs. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Both Colorado Springs and Boulder are destinations which offer snow skiing.
Locals like to visit Colorado Springs to take advantage of their winter sports. The town isn't as accessible to skiing as Denver is, but there are still options, like Breckenridge, within a few hours drive.
Boulder is a fun local destination for snow skiers. The town offers access within an hour or two to several great ski resorts including Eldora Mountain, Vail, and Breckenridge.
It's hard to distinguish whether Colorado Springs or Boulder has a better nightlife scene.
Colorado Springs has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The town has a number of breweries and a great craft beer selection.
If you're looking for night time activities Boulder has a few options to choose from. The town has breweries, craft beer, and plenty to do in the evening. Check out The Bitter Bar or License No. 1 for a local vibe.
You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Colorado Springs or Boulder.
Colorado Springs is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town is conveniently located near many outdoor adventures that are family-friendly. Popular activities include Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Dinosaur Resource Center, and Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Boulder offers lots of family activities. The city has parks, playgrounds, a planetarium, and climbing gyms that are fun for kids of all ages.
Both Colorado Springs and Boulder are good destinations to visit as a couple.
Colorado Springs is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and exploring nature together will love visiting this town and the areas nearby.
Boulder makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This is a great city for couples who love outdoor adventures, hiking, rock climbing, and cycling.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Colorado Springs and Boulder.
Public transit is limited or non-existant 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.
Public transit is quite limited in Boulder. There are buses that run around town.
Colorado Springs and Boulder both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Colorado Springs is generally not very walkable. While the downtown area is walkable, you'll really want to have a car so you can explore the areas outside of town.
Boulder is a somewhat walkable place. The city has some nice walkable areas and it is very bike friendly.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Colorado Springs and Boulder. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Colorado Springs is 2-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Boulder is 2-3 days.
In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife. This mountain town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
You'll find food and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Boulder. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Colorado Springs, you'll find nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Colorado Springs has to offer.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the nature-filled city of Boulder. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.
Colorado Springs is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Boulder is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Colorado Springs. Many people enjoy the nightlife when visiting Colorado Springs. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Boulder is a great place to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Colorado Springs is $124, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $153. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Colorado Springs and Boulder in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Colorado Springs or Boulder? 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.
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Colorado Springs 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.
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 some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colorado Springs and Boulder, we can see that Boulder 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 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 Colorado Springs.
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