Should you visit Detroit or Denver?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Detroit or Denver, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Detroit
Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
Which city is cheaper, Denver or Detroit?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Detroit is $107, while the average daily cost in Denver is $174. 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 Detroit and Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Detroit can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $51, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $102.
A hotel room in Denver is about $138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
In Detroit travelers spend around $36 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 Denver can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $34 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 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
Detroit $36
Denver $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit
For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home:
$94
-
Detroit Revival Food Tours:
$139
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
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Small-Group Food Tour in Denver:
$69
-
Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour:
$73
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The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver:
$77
-
Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo:
$79
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Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus:
$97
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Detroit than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $30 on transportation in Detroit on average per day.
The average price of local transportation around Denver is $81 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit
Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW:
$43
-
Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer:
$80
-
Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit:
$100
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$106
-
Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer:
$106
-
Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City:
$122
-
Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport:
$122
-
Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer:
$149
-
Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$212
-
Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW):
$622
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
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Vail: Private Transfer to or from Denver Airport:
$557
-
Transfer in private minivan from Denver International Airport(DEN) to Downtown:
$86
-
Transfer in private minivan from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Vail city:
$291
-
Transfer in private minivan from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN):
$86
-
Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown:
$72
-
Transfer in Private Car from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN):
$72
-
Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Intl. Airport to Downtown:
$173
-
Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Airport (DEN) to Vail city:
$582
-
Round trip transfer in Private Car from-to Denver Int. Airport (DEN) to Downtown:
$144
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Vail:
$576
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Aspen:
$1,321
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Private Transfer from Denver City to Denver (DEN) Airport:
$109
Is it cheaper to fly into Detroit or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver and Detroit 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
Sightseeing expenses in Detroit, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $17 per day, per person.
Denver's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $42 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Detroit
For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Ford Piquette Avenue Plant Entry & Guided Tour:
$15
-
2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour:
$18
-
The Rise, Fall & Renewal Walking Tour:
$29
-
Downtown Detroit Walking Tour with a Local:
$29
-
Corktown is Popping! Small Group Walking Tour:
$29
-
Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover:
$29
-
Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$30
-
Detroit Beer History Walking Tour:
$39
-
Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour:
$49
-
90 minute Segway Experience:
$64
-
Foods and Flavors of Detroit Private Tour:
$130
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
-
1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour in Denver:
$25
-
Astrophotography Experience in the Colorado Rockies:
$200
-
Best of Denver Tour:
$64
-
Best of Denver Tour:
$22
-
Bike and Brew Tour:
$60
-
Breckenridge Ultimate Full Day Mountain Tour from Denver:
$115
-
Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour:
$22
-
Craft Beer Tour in Lower Downtown Denver:
$53
-
Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour:
$12
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Denver Ghost Tour:
$23
-
Denver Guided Sightseeing Tour on Motor Scooters:
$112
-
Denver History and Highlights Small Group Tour:
$35
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Detroit spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $4.25 on alcoholic beverages in Denver per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour in Lower Downtown:
$26
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - South Broadway (SoBo):
$27
-
3-Hour Brewery Walking Tour:
$49
-
Craft Distillery Bus Tour:
$71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Detroit and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Denver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Denver than you might in Detroit.
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