Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville or Tucson?
Jacksonville
As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.
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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJacksonville $220Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $220, 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 Jacksonville and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJacksonville $92Tucson $93
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJacksonville $184Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Jacksonville and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville 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: Jacksonville Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jacksonville $53Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Carnival Port to Jacksonville Airport (JAX): $55
- Marriott Jacksonville Downtown Transfer to JAX: $134
- Jacksonville Airport JAX to Carnival Cruise Port-Arrival Transfer: $55
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville Cruise Port -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $122
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- JAX Airport Transfer to Tru By Hilton Jacksonville St Johns Town Center: $164
- JAX Airport Transfer to Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront: $147
- JAX Airport Transfer to Hyatt Place/ St. Johns Town Center: $164
- JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island: $195
- Carnival Cruise Port to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Jacksonville 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
-
Food Meals for one dayJacksonville $96Tucson $36
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jacksonville $20Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jacksonville Ghosts and Ghouls Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- 2-Flights Indoor Skydiving Experience in Jacksonville: $91
- 20 Minutes Chocolate & Candy Factory Tour in Jacksonville: $6.00
- 90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure: $125
- Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek: $36
- Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $60
- Architecture and History Tour in San Marco: $96
- Best of the Beaches E-Bike Tour: $100
- Big Talbot Island Self Guided Tour with Smart Helmets: $115
- CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach: $145
- Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour: $30
- Eight Flags Road Tour: $50
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayJacksonville $20Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
- Jax Brewery Tour (Drinks Included): $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Tucson, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Tucson?
Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville 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.