Should you visit Sedona or Boulder?
Should I visit Sedona or Boulder? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Sedona
Sedona, Arizona is a desert town near Flagstaff. Sedona has many canyons and pine forests, but the most stunningly, beautiful landscape here is the many red rock limestone formations that can be found almost everywhere. The stone formations always have a deep red color, and this color only intensifies in the light of the sun. Sedona has been named one of the most beautiful places in America because of its mesmerizing scenery that changes hourly with the shifting of light. Native Americans have always regarded Sedona as a place of healing and renewal, and that continues to be true as they still value this land as sacred. Sedona is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, and no matter where you are in Sedona you are never far from breathtaking scenery.
Boulder
Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.
Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.
Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.
Which city is cheaper, Boulder or Sedona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sedona is $132, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Sedona and Boulder in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $148 in Sedona For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Boulder, $164 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Boulder, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $82, such as in a hostel.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Sedona than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $32 on transportation in Sedona on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Boulder than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $41 on transportation in Boulder on average per day.
Is it cheaper to fly into Sedona or Boulder?
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Sedona 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
In Sedona travelers spend around $38 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.
In Boulder travelers spend around $43 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.
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Food
Meals for one day
Sedona $38
Boulder $43
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sedona
For Sedona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Small-Group Sedona Photography Workshop with Lunch or Dinner:
$267
Typical Food prices in Boulder
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:
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2 Coffees
$8.75
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Nice Dinner for Two
$71
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Sedona, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $15 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Boulder, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $26 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Sedona
For Sedona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Sedona
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sedona.
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15-Minute Helicopter Tour of Sedona:
$125
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2 Hour Guided Motorcycle Tour To Sedona:
$1,200
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2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Sedona:
$542
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2-Hour Sedona Guided Tour:
$55
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2.5-Hour Sedona Sightseeing Tour with Sedona Hotel Pickup:
$52
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25-Minute Helicopter Tour of Sedona:
$206
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Private Luxury Car Tour:
$528
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Small-Group Tour from Sedona or Flagstaff:
$224
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Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Tour from Sedona:
$235
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Antelope Slot Canyon and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour from Sedona:
$236
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Awaken to You: Journey and Sedona Vortex Tour 6 to 8 hr:
$778
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Broken Arrow Jeep Tour in Sedona:
$140
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
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A natural healing experience in a private epsom salt bath.:
$16
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Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$44
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Astronomy Tour:
$41
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Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour:
$104
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Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour:
$200
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Denver/Rocky Mountain National Park Tour:
$139
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Downtown An audio tour around this weird and beautiful town:
$5.00
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Electric Cruiser Fat Tire Bike Tour - Best of Boulder:
$97
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Half-Day eBike Mural Tour in Boulder:
$90
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High-Vibes Foodie Tour:
$106
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Hiking Adventure in Rocky Mountain National Park from Boulder:
$173
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Holistic & Medicinal Tour:
$42
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 Sedona, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $10.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Boulder, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $22.
Sample the Local Flavors in Sedona
Also in Sedona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Bliss Wine Tours - The Most Luxurious Vineyard Tour in Sedona:
$94
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Wine Tour from Sedona to the Verde Valley Vineyards in Luxury Transportation:
$99
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Private Luxury Wine Tour from Sedona to the Famous Verde Valley Vineyards:
$199
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From Phoenix: Sedona Day Tour With Wine Tasting:
$225
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Private, Customized Verde Valley Wine Trail or Microbrewery Tour for 2 Adults:
$380
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Personalized, Private Wine Tour for 2 Adults from Sedona:
$380
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Private Wine Tour Sedona to Verde Valley Wineries Party of 2:
$1,050
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Private Wine Tour from Sedona to Verde Valley Wineries:
$1,647
When comparing the travel costs between Sedona and Boulder, we can see that Boulder 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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