Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Chattanooga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chattanooga or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Chattanooga 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: Chattanooga or Tucson?
Chattanooga
Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.
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 Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChattanooga $182Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $182, 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 Chattanooga and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChattanooga $92Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChattanooga $184Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Chattanooga and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Chattanooga 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: Chattanooga Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chattanooga $35Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chattanooga
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:
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Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)$16
Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Chattanooga 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 dayChattanooga $59Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.
- MLK Walking Art History & Food Tour: $65
- Historic Southside Food Tour in Chattanooga: $99
- ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $99
- Downtown Chattanooga Food Tour: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chattanooga $52Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Virtual Reality Simulator Bundle for Outdoor Experiences: $27
- ChattaBOOga Ghost Walk Tour in Chattanooga: $23
- Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $34
- Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $34
- Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
- Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour: $23
- A Spooky and Family-Friendly Walking Tour: $25
- Adults-Only Haunted City Walking Tour: $35
- City Trolley Tour with Coker Automotive Museum visit: $44
- City Trolley Tour with Coker Museum visit: $44
Tours and Activities in Tucson
For Tucson, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Saguaro National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChattanooga $24Tucson $16
When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Tucson, we can see that Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga 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.