Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Chapel Hill?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chapel Hill or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chapel Hill or Tucson? 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: Chapel Hill or Tucson?
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.
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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChapel Hill $164Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Chapel Hill is $164, 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 Chapel Hill and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChapel Hill $95Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChapel Hill $190Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Chapel Hill and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Chapel Hill 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: Chapel Hill Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chapel Hill $34Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Chapel Hill or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Chapel Hill 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 dayChapel Hill $49Tucson $36
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chapel Hill $17Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Chapel Hill
Here are a few actual costs in Chapel Hill for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 8 Hours Private Crystal Coast Sightseeing in North Carolina: $275
- Carolina History & Haunts Greensboro Historical Ghost Tour: $20
- Chapel Hill Historic Churches Tour: $16
- Chapel Hill, NC: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Coastal Excursion/Sunset Cruise/Sand Dollars/Sea Shells/Horses: $225
- Morning Aerial Adventure Adult Course from Riegelwood: $55
- Raleigh Guided E-Bike Tour: Burgers, Brews, and History too: $107
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Greensboro by Zombie Scavengers: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChapel Hill $40Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Chapel Hill
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chapel Hill:
- Wacky Fayetteville Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
When comparing the travel costs between Chapel Hill and Tucson, we can see that Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chapel Hill or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Chapel Hill 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.