Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Minneapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Minneapolis or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Minneapolis 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: Minneapolis or Tucson?
Minneapolis
Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMinneapolis $206Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMinneapolis $110Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMinneapolis $220Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Minneapolis and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Minneapolis 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: Minneapolis Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Minneapolis $43Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis
Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $137
- Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
Is it cheaper to fly into Minneapolis or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Minneapolis 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 dayMinneapolis $40Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Minneapolis Food Tour - Walking: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Minneapolis $27Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Minneapolis
For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Candlelight Ghost Trolley Tour in Minneapolis: $55
- Challah Baking Experience: $72
- Christmas in the City: A Minneapolis Walking Tour: $687
- Complete Minneapolis Walking Tour: $99
- Experience St. Paul Ghost Walking Tour: $29
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Ghost Walking Tour in Minneapolis: $29
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Minneapolis: $7.99
- Lost Souls Tour: $20
- Mall of America: 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $44
- Mall of America: Crayola Experience Flexible Date Ticket: $31
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMinneapolis $24Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis
Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: $69
- All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour: $85
- 3-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Minneapolis and Tucson, we can see that Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Minneapolis or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of Minneapolis 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.