Should you visit San Diego or Denver?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for San Diego and Denver. 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. So, let's dig into it.
San Diego
For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.
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 San Diego?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in San Diego is $161, 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 San Diego and Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in San Diego, $182 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in San Diego, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $91, such as in a hostel.
A hotel room in Denver is about $138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in San Diego than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $19 on transportation in San Diego 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 San Diego
Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from San Diego to San Diego Int. Airport (SAN):
$35
-
Private Departure Transfer from San Diego to SAN San Diego Airport:
$46
-
Private Airport Transfer: San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Diego:
$46
-
Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN:
$48
-
Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN:
$48
-
Private Arrival Transfer from SAN San Diego Airport to San Diego City:
$49
-
San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$60
-
San Diego hotel/address to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$60
-
Transfer from San Diego International Airport to San Diego:
$62
-
Departure Private Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car:
$63
-
Private Airport Transfer San Deigo Arrival And Departure:
$67
-
Private Airport Transfer: Hotel to and from San Diego International Airport:
$70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$1,592
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Aspen:
$1,321
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$858
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$809
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$796
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$672
-
Round trip transfer in private minivan from-to Denver Airport (DEN) to Vail city:
$582
-
Private Transfer: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Vail:
$576
-
Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Vail or Beaver Creek:
$450
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer:
$429
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer:
$404
-
Private Denver International Airport Transfer to Breckenridge or Keystone:
$400
Is it cheaper to fly into San Diego or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver and San Diego 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
The price of a meal in San Diego can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $36 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.
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.
-
Food
Meals for one day
San Diego $36
Denver $34
Typical Food prices in San Diego
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:
-
Mexican Lunch for Two
$27
-
Breakfast at Starbucks
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
San Diego North Park Food Tour:
$49
-
Liberty Station Food Tour:
$49
-
Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico:
$89
-
Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego:
$96
-
Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef:
$100
-
San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise:
$111
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego:
$129
-
Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option:
$277
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.
-
Small-Group Food Tour in Denver:
$69
-
Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour:
$73
-
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver:
$77
-
Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo:
$79
-
Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus:
$97
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in San Diego, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $38 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.
Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego
For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
San Diego Zoo
$15
-
Sea World Parking
$12
Tours and Activities in San Diego
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.
-
La Jolla: Explore California's Riviera on a self-guided audio tour:
$5.40
-
La Jolla: Ultimate Self-Guided Combo Tour:
$12
-
San Diego Zoo Hunt: Roar with Rex Adventure at the San Diego Zoo:
$12
-
San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Tour:
$16
-
San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
San Diego Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour:
$23
-
San Diego Gaslamp District Ghost Tour:
$24
-
Ghost-Themed Walking Tour:
$25
-
Skip-the-Line: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket:
$26
-
San Diego Harbor Cruise:
$28
-
Tijuana Walking Tour from San Diego:
$28
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
-
Denver Ghost Tour:
$23
-
Denver Guided Sightseeing Tour on Motor Scooters:
$112
-
Denver History and Highlights Small Group Tour:
$35
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Diego, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $17.
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 San Diego
Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting:
$15
-
San Diego Brewery Tour:
$85
-
San Diego Micro Brewery Tour:
$91
-
The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour:
$95
-
The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour:
$101
-
Private San Diego Brewery Tour:
$107
-
All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck:
$189
-
Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.:
$249
-
Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego:
$475
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 comparing the travel costs between San Diego and Denver, we can see that Denver is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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