Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Memphis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Memphis or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Memphis or Tucson, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Memphis or Tucson?
Memphis
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in southwest Tennessee, Memphis is a city famous for the blues, soul, and Rock 'n' Roll music that originated there. There are a number of museums and historic landmarks like Elvis Presley's Graceland dedicated to that history, while areas of the city like Beale Street keep the musical culture alive today with a vibrant scene of bars, restaurants, and live music.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMemphis $167Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Memphis is $167, 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 Memphis and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMemphis $84Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMemphis $168Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Memphis and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Memphis 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: Memphis Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Memphis $59Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Memphis
Also for Memphis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Memphis Airport MEM: $72
- Private Arrival Transfer from Memphis Airport MEM: $72
- Guided Tour with Riverboat Cruise & Hotel Transfers: $339
- Memphis Airport Transfers: $60
- Memphis Airport MEM to Hot Springs Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $282
- Memphis Airport (MEM) to Memphis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Memphis or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Memphis 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 dayMemphis $43Tucson $36
Typical Food Prices in Memphis
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Memphis:
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Baskin Robins (for 2)$6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Memphis
For Memphis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of Downtown Memphis Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Memphis $45Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Memphis
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Memphis.
- 2.5 Hours Essence of Memphis African American History Tour: $72
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure - Memphis: $44
- Beale Street & Sun Studio: Private Half-Day Walking Tour: $160
- Beale Street Experience Audio App Self Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Beale Street Guided Walking Tour: $22
- Best of Memphis Walking Tour: $149
- Downtown Memphis : Ultimate Party Experience - Public: $35
- Downtown Memphis : Ultimate Private Party Experience: $387
- Elvis Presley's Childhood Home Sightseeing Daytrip from Memphis: $111
- Elvis Unleashed: Private Elvis Walking Tour: $150
- From Tupelo Elvis Presley's Upbringing Tour: $102
- Guided Memphis City Tour with Riverboat Cruise along Mississippi River: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMemphis $26Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Memphis
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Memphis:
- Drinking Spirits with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis: $27
- Memphis Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $59
- Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $62
When comparing the travel costs between Memphis and Tucson, we can see that Memphis 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 Memphis Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Memphis or Tucson?
Memphis has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Memphis 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.