Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Phoenix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Phoenix?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Big Pine Key and Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Phoenix? 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: Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Phoenix $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Phoenix Airport PHX to Scottsdale by Luxury SUV: $138
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $113
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $98
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van: $153
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $113
- Private Tesla Transfer from Phoenix Airport to all Hotels : $42
- Sky Harbor Airport Private Transfer: $195
- One-Way Transfer Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix: $104
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $68
- Phoenix International Airport (PHX) - Private transfer From/to Hotels: $118
- Phoenix Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- One Way SUV Transfer from Phoenix Int'l Airport to Phoenix Metro: $89
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Phoenix $52
Typical Food Prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Phoenix $40
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- 1.5 Hour Stretch Limo Golf Cart Tour, Ultimate Old Town Exploration: $89
- 2 Hour Scottsdale Segway Tours - Ultimate Old Town Exploration: $79
- 2 Hour Segway Tour - Sunsets, Segways & City Lights: $89
- 2 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $115
- 2-Hour Arizona Desert Guided E-Bike Tour: $135
- 3 Cities & Nature Sightseeing Tour. Phx, Scotts, Tempe, & Desert: $168
- 3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Experience in Sonoran Desert: $219
- 3 Hour Sonoran Desert Private Guided Mountain Bike Tour: $135
- After Dark Desert Tour and Navigating the Night Sky: $295
- Amazing 2-Hour Guided Hike Adventure in Phoenix, Arizona: $125
- Apache Trail Private Half-Day Tour: $299
- Apache Trail Tour and Lake Cruise: From Phoenix / Scottsdale: $225
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Phoenix $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Pedal Bar Crawl Tour of Downtown Phoenix: $70
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $149
- Haunted Jerome, Brew and Wine Tour from Scottsdale/Phoenix: $199
- Red Rock to Vineyard Wine Tasting! (Sedona/Vineyards): $215
- Custom Arizona Brewery / Vineyard Tour: $245
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Phoenix?
Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 240 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Phoenix, 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.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Phoenix. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Big Pine Key is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Pine Key in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Phoenix. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.
In October, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 80°F (27°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix in the Winter?
Both Phoenix and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 70°F (21°C) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Phoenix during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Phoenix in the Spring?
Both Phoenix and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Pine Key in April average around 77°F (25°C), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
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.