Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Chicago?
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 Chicago or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Chicago and Tucson can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Chicago or Tucson?
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Chicago Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChicago $323Tucson $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $323, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $209. 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 Chicago and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChicago $198Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChicago $396Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Chicago 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: Chicago Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chicago $37Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Wheelchair Accessible Airport Transfer Chicago to O’Hare, Midway: $179
- Seamless Chicago Airport Transfers with Deenil Experiences: $190
- SUV transfer from downtown Chicago to O'hare or Midway Airport: $260
- Round Trip Private Transfer ORD Airport to Chicago City Oak Brook: $92
- Private Transfer: Midway Airport MDW to Chicago by Luxury SUV: $182
- Private Transfer in Chicago (ORD/MDW): $130
- Private Transfer from O’Hare Airport to Downtown Chicago: $136
- Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago (MDW) Airport: $151
- Private Transfer from Chicago (MDW) Airport to Chicago City: $151
- Private Transfer ORD Airport to Chicago / Milwaukee / Oak Brook: $46
- Private Transfer Chicago Airport to Chicago by Luxury Car or SUV: $147
- Private Transfer Chicago Airport MDW to Chicago Downtown: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tucson
Also for Tucson, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tucson Intl Airport (TUS) to Tucson - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Chicago 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 dayChicago $85Tucson $88
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- PRIVATE Online Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Class with Nancy: $59
- Tamales and Tacos with Margarita Cooking Class at Su Casa: $59
- Pizza Walking or Bus Tour: $59
- Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago: $59
- City Cruises Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $63
- Chicago West Loop Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cookies, & More: $70
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- City Cruises Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise: $74
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tucson
For Tucson, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tucson Authentic Food Tour with 6 Dishes of Southwestern Flavors: $83
- Tucson Food Tours- Locally Owned 4th/University Walking Food Tour: $92
- Tucson Food Tours- Locally Owned Downtown Walking Food Tour: $92
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Tucson (Includes 3-Course Meal): $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chicago $47Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Bronzeville, Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hour Chatham, Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hour Chicago Landmarks & Lakefront E-Bike Tour: $72
- 2 Hour Chicago Pier Fireworks & Evening Segway Tour: $78
- 2 Hour Englewood, Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hour North Lawndale, Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hour Pilsen and Little Village, Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hour Pullman/Roseland Chicago Tour: $45
- 2 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops: $89
- 2-Hour Chicago Wine and Cheese Cruise: $75
- 2-Hour Chicago's Chinatown History and Culture Tour: $30
- 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck & Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour: $84
Tours and Activities in Tucson
For Tucson, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tucson Historic Downtown Walking Tour Smartphone Guided App GPS: $7.75
- Downtown An Audio Tour by an Author and Historian: $9.99
- Saguaro National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Mount Lemmon Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Saguaro National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- 2 Day Self-Guided Tucson Day Trip Driving Tour Bundle: $18
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Mount Lemmon: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Tucson by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Classic Cave Tour at Colossal Cave: $24
- Saguaro NP and Mt. Lemmon Self Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle: $25
- Tucson Sinister Sins and Desert Tears Ghost Tour: $26
- Ghosts Of Downtown Tucson Haunted History Tour: $28
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChicago $25Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Astounding Chicago Bar Crawl: Chi-Town Showdown: $15
- Burning Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago to Milwaukee Day Trip with Brewery Tour & City Highlights: $125
- Chicago to Milwaukee: 1-Day City Highlights w/Miller Brewery: $125
Sample the Local Flavors in Tucson
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tucson:
- Awesome Tucson Bar Crawl: Cacti and Cocktails: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Tucson, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chicago Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chicago or Tucson?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Chicago 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.