Which place is cheaper, Boulder or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Dayton or Boulder?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Boulder, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dayton or Boulder?
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Dayton Prices
USA PricesBoulder Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $368Boulder $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $368, while the average daily cost in Boulder is $231. 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 Dayton and Boulder in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Boulder $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Boulder $204
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Boulder
Looking for a hotel in Dayton 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Boulder Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Boulder $51
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Boulder?
Prices for flights to both Boulder and Dayton 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 dayDayton $105Boulder $94
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
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.Dayton -Boulder $33
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
Tours and Activities in Boulder
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.
- Downtown Boulder Smartphone Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Boulder CO: $15
- University of Colorado Boulder Campus Adventure: $15
- Bones, Burials, & Ballads: Boulder Ghost Tours: $24
- Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Boulder Ghost Tour: $35
- Guided Astronomy Tour: $45
- Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon Combo Tour: $52
- Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
- Boulder Joyride Guided eBike Tour: $95
- The Boulder Joyride eBike Tour: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Boulder $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Boulder, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Boulder much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boulder would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boulder 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton than you might in Boulder.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Boulder Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Boulder?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Dayton 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.