Which place is cheaper, Boulder or Woodstock?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Woodstock or Boulder?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Woodstock or Boulder? 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.
Where Should I go: Woodstock or Boulder?
Woodstock
While this town does lend its name to the 1969 Woodstock Festival, the legendary event was actually held on a dairy farm almost 60 miles away in Bethel, NY. So if you are looking to see the field where it all happened and a museum dedicated to its history, you will need to take a day trip outside of town.
Woodstock, New York, however, does stay true to the spirit of the arts. Since 1903, the place lay home to Byrdcliffe Art Colony, the oldest of its kind in the nation, and even attracted artists of the Hudson River School during the late 1800s. Today, artists from all disciplines-visual, ceramic, music, fiction, nonfiction, screenwriting, playwriting, and poetry-take up residence at the colony and have works displayed in galleries open in the main part of town.
Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road are lined with a mix of restaurants and shops all teeming with the essence of hippie living, arts, and spirituality. From shops selling Woodstock paraphernalia, incense, and Himalayan products, to yoga studios, vegan restaurants, and local art galleries-the town of Woodstock is one dedicated to keeping the spirit of the Woodstock Festival and the arts alive.
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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWoodstock $154Boulder $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Woodstock is $154, 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 Woodstock and Boulder in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWoodstock $81Boulder $102
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWoodstock $162Boulder $204
Compare Hotels in Woodstock and Boulder
Looking for a hotel in Woodstock 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: Boulder Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Woodstock $60Boulder $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Woodstock or Boulder?
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Woodstock 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
-
Food Meals for one dayWoodstock $34Boulder $54
Typical Food Prices in Boulder
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:
-
2 Coffees$8.75
-
Nice Dinner for Two$71
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Woodstock $35Boulder $33
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Boulder and Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Boulder, CO: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Boulder, CO: $15
- Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Tour with Remote Guide: $25
- Downtown Boulder Mural Walking Tour: $30
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Astronomy Tour: $45
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
- "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayWoodstock $22Boulder $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Woodstock and Boulder, we can see that Boulder is more expensive. And not only is Woodstock much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Woodstock would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Woodstock 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 Woodstock.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Woodstock Expensive? and Is Boulder Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Woodstock or Boulder?
Boulder has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Woodstock. When comparing the sizes of Woodstock 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.