Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Miami?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Miami 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 Miami and Tucson can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Miami or Tucson?
Miami
Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.
Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.
Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.
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 dayMiami $206Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $206, 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 Miami and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMiami $132Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMiami $264Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Miami and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Miami 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: Miami Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Miami $38Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:
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Car Rental for a Day$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:
- Transfers from Miami Airport to any Miami and Miami Beach area: $145
- Transfers Airports Miami, Ft. Lauderdale Port Mía Everglades: $25
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Downtown to Miami Airport: $21
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Beach to Miami Airport: $26
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport to Miami Downtown: $21
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Miami Airport (MIA) - Miami Beach: $24
- Transfer in Executive Private Vehicle from Miami Downtown to Miami Airport: $53
- Transfer from Port Miami to Miami Airport: $190
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Miami Hotel or Miami Port: $160
- Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel or Port Miami.: $190
- Transfer Service Miami Port to Miami Airport: $72
- Transfer Service Miami Airport to Miami Port: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Miami 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 dayMiami $41Tucson $36
Typical Food Prices in Miami
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:
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Lunch with Drinks (for 2)$45
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David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)$16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.
- Little Havana- Family Friendly Walking Food Tour : $52
- The Ultimate Little Havana Food Tour: $64
- South Beach Food Tour- Culinary & Art Deco & History : $67
- South Beach Food Tour: $70
- A Taste of South Beach Food Tour: $75
- Little Havana Walking Food Tour: $75
- South Beach Miami Food & Fun Art Deco Food Tour : $79
- Food Tour of Miami's South Beach: $79
- Mango's Dinner and Show Ticket: $98
- Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show: $98
- Miami Dinner Party w/ Night Club Experience: $100
- Food Tour in South Beach of Miami: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Miami $31Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Miami
Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 30 Minute- Ocean Drive Segway Tour: $42
- 5-Course Cultural Brunch Experience in Miami: $125
- Bayside Marketplace Miami Full Day Shopping Experience : $100
- "Cigar Factory Tour": $35
- 1 Hour Lady Buggy Art Tour Experience in Wynwood: $160
- 1 Hour Star Island Segway Tour: $74
- 1 Hour Wynwood Street Art Tour: $45
- 1-Hour Private Miami Photoshoot Experience: $92
- 1HR Boat Tour Around Miami Celebrities Mansion: $65
- 2 Hour ATV Off Road Guided Tour : $160
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Miami Beach: $277
- 2 hrs Miami Private Boat Tour with Cooler, Ice, Bluetooth Stereo: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMiami $22Tucson $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:
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Evening at a Bar$32
Sample the Local Flavors in Miami
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:
- Miami Bar Crawl: $25
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $26
- Guided Bar Crawl with Drinks Discounts and Club Entry: $29
- Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63
- Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
- Wynwood Bar Crawl: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Miami and Tucson, we can see that Miami 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 Miami would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Miami 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 Miami Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Miami or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Miami. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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.