Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Pensacola?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Pensacola 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 Pensacola and Tucson can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Pensacola or Tucson?
Pensacola
With sands as white as sugar grain and a sky devoid of grey clouds and innumerable downpours, Pensacola is known by many as the "Western Gate to the Sunshine State." Located in northern Florida, Pensacola is a waterfront city known for its pristine beaches and rich Floridian history. As one of the earliest European settlements in the U.S., Pensacola is riddled with museums and landmarks that commemorate the state's history, making the city quite appetizing for history buffs and students alike. However, if you are simply looking to get the most out of the all-around good weather of Florida, Pensacola's protected beaches complemented with high-class restaurants and stores make this a vacation capital for many.
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 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPensacola $198Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Pensacola is $198, 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 Pensacola and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPensacola $115Tucson $93
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPensacola $230Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Pensacola and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Pensacola 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: Pensacola Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pensacola $64Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pensacola
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Pensacola:
-
Boca Grande Causeway Toll$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pensacola
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pensacola:
- Pensacola to Pensacola International Airport (PNS) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Pensacola - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Pensacola - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Destin, FL - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $142
- Pensacola International Airport (PNS) to Destin, FL - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
Is it cheaper to fly into Pensacola or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Pensacola 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 dayPensacola $48Tucson $36
Typical Food Prices in Pensacola
Some typical examples of dining costs in Pensacola are as follows:
-
Two Ice Creams$6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pensacola
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Pensacola.
- Seville Stroll Food Tour: $72
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pensacola $13Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pensacola
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pensacola are as follows:
-
Bike Rental$16
Tours and Activities in Pensacola
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pensacola are as follows:
- 1hr Segway Tour Downtown : $57
- 2hr Segway Tour of Downtown : $72
- 3 Hour Sandbar Adventure on Motorized Floats: $69
- 3 hours cruise with swimming: $81
- Dolphin & Sightseeing Cruise + Private Beach Stop: $64
- Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise: $59
- Frisky Mermaid Fireworks Cruise Up to 49 Pax: $64
- Frisky Mermaid Public Dolphin + Sightseeing Cruise Up to 49 Pax: $37
- Ghosts and Graveyard Tour of Pensacola: $34
- Hop-on Hop-off Tour in Pensacola : $35
- Land Paddle Tour in Pensacola: $50
- Pensacola Beach Jolly Dolphin Cruise and Scenic Bay Tour: $39
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayPensacola $44Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Pensacola
Also in Pensacola, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Walking Pub Tour : $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pensacola and Tucson, we can see that Pensacola 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 Pensacola would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pensacola 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola 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.