A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Melbourne vs. Boston for Attractions, Families, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Melbourne or Boston?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Melbourne or Boston? 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a livable, friendly, and cultural city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a classic, proud, and loyal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Melbourne and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Boston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boston than Melbourne. While Melbourne is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Melbourne attracts visitors for its beaches and shopping. Boston is more touristy than Melbourne and is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail. Melbourne is famous for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population.

How is Melbourne different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Boston and Melbourne. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Melbourne or Boston?

Boston is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Boston are world-renowned. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Many visitors head to Melbourne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a very popular place for its theatre productions. However, Melbourne is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Boston. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Melbourne is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Melbourne or Boston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Melbourne and Boston offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Dining out in Boston is an experience not to be missed. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Boston.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Boston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Melbourne is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Boston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Melbourne is not a live music destination.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is notable for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is very popular for its old town. However, Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Boston has a world-famous historical area. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Boston?

Melbourne is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Melbourne is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Melbourne does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Melbourne does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a very popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Melbourne does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston is a popular destination to visit Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Melbourne does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Boston is a very family-friendly destination. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Melbourne is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Boston make for a nice place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

Boston is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne and Boston are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Boston is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Students?

Both Melbourne and Boston are amazing destinations for students.

Many students frequent Melbourne. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

Students come from all over the world to visit Boston. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Is Melbourne or Boston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boston is very popular for times when you don't have a car. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Boston has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Melbourne. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Is Melbourne or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Melbourne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

Melbourne is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

For even more information, also check out Is Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Boston?

In either Melbourne or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Boston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Boston than Melbourne. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

Families should spend more time in Boston than Melbourne. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boston than Melbourne. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston than Melbourne if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boston.

One day in Melbourne or Boston?

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find museums and theater around the city of Boston. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Boston?

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the historic big city of Boston. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the traditional city of Boston. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

A week in Melbourne or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the livable big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Melbourne and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Melbourne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Boston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Melbourne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melbourne 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Melbourne.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Melbourne Expensive? and Is Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Boston?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne and Boston, 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.

When is the best time to visit Melbourne or Boston?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Boston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Boston. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Melbourne is generally cooler than Bostonin July. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 20°C (68°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Melbourne this time of the year. In the summer, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Bostonin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Bostonin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

Melbourne is a little warmer than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C)in October.

Melbourne usually receives less sunshine than Boston during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Bostonin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Melbourne during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. In the winter, Melbourne is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Melbourne in July average around 9°C (49°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C)in January.

In the winter, Melbourne often gets less sunshine than Bostonin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Bostonin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Boston. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In October, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Bostonin April. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 14°C (57°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Melbourne, it's very sunny this time of the year. Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Bostonin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Melbourne