Which place is cheaper, Boulder or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Boulder?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Tucson and Boulder can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Boulder?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Boulder $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $191. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tucson and Boulder in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Boulder $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Boulder $204
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Boulder
Looking for a hotel in Tucson 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Tucson Hotel Prices and Boulder Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Boulder $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Boulder?
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Tucson 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
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Food Meals for one dayTucson $36Boulder $54
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Boulder $33
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
- "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
- 2 Hours Drone Experience with Pro Pilot and Photographer: $180
- Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Astronomy Tour: $45
- Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $100
- Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
- Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour: $250
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Boulder, CO: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Boulder $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Boulder, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Boulder Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Boulder?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Boulder, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.