Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Clearwater?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Clearwater or Tucson?
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 Clearwater and Tucson. 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: Clearwater or Tucson?
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayClearwater $309Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $309, 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 Clearwater and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personClearwater $141Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomClearwater $282Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Clearwater and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Clearwater 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: Clearwater Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Clearwater $221Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:
- St. Petersburg to St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $126
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to St. Petersburg - Arrival Private Transfer : $63
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
- Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $75
- Private Transfer from Clearwater to Tampa Airport: $120
- Private Airport Transfer to St. Petersburg or Clearwater Beach : $103
- From Orlando: Clearwater Beach Day with Transfers and Lunch: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Clearwater or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Clearwater 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 dayClearwater $46Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Clearwater
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Clearwater.
- 2 Hours Beach Bites & Brews Food Tour in Gulfport, Florida: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Clearwater -Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Clearwater
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:
- 1-hour Dolphin Sightseeing Adventure Cruise from Madeira Beach: $28
- 1.5 Hour Tiki Tour with Open Bar in Clearwater Beach: $49
- 2 Hour Guided Kayak Tour in Boca Ciega Bay - St. Pete: $55
- 2 Hour Guided Segway Tour of Downtown St Pete: $59
- 2 Hour Sunset Cruise in Clearwater, Florida: $35
- 2 Hours Kayak Eco Tour in Tarpon Springs: $54
- 2-Hour Sunset Cruise Tour in St. Petersburg: $67
- 4-Hour St. Pete Pier to Egmont Key Experience by Ferry: $67
- 90 Minute Axe Throwing Guided Experience in Clearwater at Hatchet Hangout: $50
- All Day Fishing Experience from John's Pass in Madeira Beach, FL - 10 Hours: $160
- Amazing Helicopter Tour of Treasure Island, John's Pass, Don CeSar Resort & Bay: $126
- Aqua Sol Adventures -Signature Sunset Cruise and Bridge tour: $275
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayClearwater -Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Tucson, we can see that Clearwater 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater 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 Clearwater Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater 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.