Which place is cheaper, Tucson or New York City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit New York City 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 New York City 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: New York City or Tucson?
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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New York City Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNew York City $363Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in New York City is $363, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $184. 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 New York City and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNew York City $175Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNew York City $350Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in New York City and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in New York City 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: New York City Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.New York City $49Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Woodbury Outlets Transfer with shopping from NYC | Kids 50% Off: $121
- VIDA VIP Airport Transfer in New Jersey and New York: $144
- Try find your better than us! Airport transfer in New York HTL-APT (JFK,EWR,LGA): $126
- Transfer: New York City Center to John F.K. Airport(JFK) : $70
- Transfer from Newark Airport to Times Square New York : $150
- Private Transfer: Newark Airport to Manhattan Up to 6pax: $130
- Private Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $179
- Private Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Luxury SUV: $179
- Private Transfer: New York to LaGuardia Airport LGA by Sedan Car: $167
- Private Transfer: New York to LaGuardia Airport LGA by Luxury SUV: $179
- Private Transfer: New York to J.F. Kennedy Airport JFK in SUV: $179
- Private Transfer from Newark L Airport EWR to Manhattan by SUV: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into New York City or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and New York City 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 dayNew York City $87Tucson $63
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- East Village Noho Food Tour: $32
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $35
- Sweets and Slices Greenwich Village Walking Food Tour: $49
- New York City's Best Pizza tour: $59
- Made in Brooklyn Food Tour: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $75
- East Village Donut and Pastry Adventure and Walking Food Tour : $75
- Chinatown Food Tour with a Chef in Manhattan: $75
- Brooklyn Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour (Small Group): $75
- Union Square Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $75
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $75
- Brooklyn Pizza Walk: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.New York City $180Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- 9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket: $65
- Central Park Pedicab Tours - History and Movie Locations: $50
- Godfather Movie Locations New York Tour with Private Guide: $195
- VIP Central Park Experience Tour with photos 50min~Skip the line: $280
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $94
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Exclusive Guided Tour: $133
- "The Met" Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour Semi-Private 8ppl Max: $133
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Downtown: $249
- 1 HR - NYC Private Classic Car Experience - Midtown: $75
- 1 Hour - Private New York City Lights Tour in Vintage Car : $75
- 1 Hour Live Interactive Driving Virtual Tour of Manhattan: $200
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNew York City $29Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour : $22
- NYC Pub Crawl Experience: $24
- Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- NYC Pub Crawl with Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $33
- Top Shelf Distillery Tour: $33
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Cheers to Chinatown Tour and Bar Crawl: $40
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- New York Beer and Brewery tour: $150
- Full day Long Island Brewery Tour : $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New York City and Tucson, we can see that New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, New York City or Tucson?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of New York City 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.