Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Atlanta or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Tucson, 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: Atlanta or Tucson?
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAtlanta $173Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $173, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $157. 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 Atlanta and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAtlanta $90Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAtlanta $180Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Atlanta and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Atlanta or Tucson? 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: Atlanta Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Atlanta $44Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in Executive Private Minivan from Atlanta Downtown to Atlanta Airport: $67
- San Jose Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to San Jose Costa: $35
- Roundtrip transfer in executive private car from Atlanta Airport to Alpharetta: $144
- Roundtrip Transfer PrivateExecutive Vehicle Atlanta Airport(ATL)-AtlantaDowntown: $105
- Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Luxury SUV: $135
- Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car: $119
- Private Transfer: Atlanta to H. J. Airport ATL in Luxury SUV/Van: $133
- Private Transfer: Atlanta to H. J. Airport ATL in Luxury SUV : $135
- Private Transfer from Atlanta (ATL) Airport to Atlanta City: $94
- Private One-way Atlanta Airport Transfer To/From Atlanta: $75
- Private Arrival Transfer from Atlanta Airport (ATL): $80
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL):Transfer to Atlanta: $277
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Atlanta 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 dayAtlanta $43Tucson $36
Typical Food Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
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Fast Food Lunch (for 2)$15
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Lunch$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
- City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $65
- 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $70
- Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
- Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
- Food Tour of Inman Park and the Atlanta Beltline: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Atlanta $56Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
- 2-Hour Food, History and Street Art Tour of Ponce City Market: $95
- 2.5hr Guided Segway Tour of Historic Atlanta: $69
- 2.5hr Guided Segway Tour of Midtown Atlanta: $69
- 3-Hour Atlanta Beltline Food, Street Art and History Tour : $99
- 3-Hour Private Atlanta MCU Comics Inspired Film Location Tour: $175
- 90-Minute Guided Sightseeing Tour by E-Car or MiniBus: $36
- 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Trolley Tour in Atlanta: $36
- African American Atlanta Culture Tour by Private Car Service : $90
- African-American Heritage&Civil Rights Atlanta Half-Day Tour: $653
- Atlanta 5 Hour City Tour by Air-Conditioned Bus: $70
- Atlanta Beltline Cocktails and Bites Experience: $129
- Atlanta Braves Baseball Game Ticket at Truist Park: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAtlanta $17Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
- Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl and Cabaret Show: $36
- Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
- Full-Day Wine Country Wine Tastings From Atlanta : $120
- North Georgia Mountains Two Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $137
- Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting: $159
- North Georgia Mountains Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $165
- North Georgia Mountains Private Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $180
When comparing the travel costs between Atlanta and Tucson, we can see that Atlanta 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Atlanta Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Atlanta or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Atlanta and Tucson, 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.