Should you visit Phoenix or San Francisco?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Phoenix and San Francisco can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
Which city is cheaper, San Francisco or Phoenix?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Phoenix is $114, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $172. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Phoenix and San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around $92 for a double occupancy room in Phoenix If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in San Francisco can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $103, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $206.
Food
In Phoenix travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
On average, meal and food prices in San Francisco cost around $32 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $13.
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Food
Meals for one day
Phoenix $42
San Francisco $32
Typical Food prices in Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class:
$65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide:
$15
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Traveling Spoon Pad Thai and Papaya Salad Private Online Cooking Class:
$25
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Lonely Planet Experiences: North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour:
$66
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North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour:
$69
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Mission District Walking Food Tour:
$75
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San Francisco North Beach Food Tour:
$75
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Cooking with Ale: let's make Tiramisu - private groups:
$80
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San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market:
$80
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Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour:
$82
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American Cooking Class in San Francisco with a Local near Golden Gate Park:
$82
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San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour:
$89
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Russian Hill Gourmet Food Tour:
$97
Local Transportation
Phoenix's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $16 per person, per day on transportation in Phoenix.
San Francisco's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $13 per person, per day on transportation in San Francisco.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Phoenix to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX):
$622
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Private Transfer: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Phoenix:
$622
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SUV Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, or Tucson:
$334
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Sedan Airport One Way Transfer Phoenix to Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona or Tucson:
$309
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$213
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Airport VAN Phoenix One Way Transfer Phoenix Address:
$213
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Phoenix Round Trip Private Airport-Hotel Transfer:
$176
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Phoenix Airport Transfers : Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van:
$131
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Phoenix Airport Transfers : Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury Van:
$131
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Airport SUV Phoenix One Way Transfer Scottsdale Address:
$121
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Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$119
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Private Phoenix Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
Typical Local Transportation prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO
$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll
$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour
$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from San Fransisco City To Carmel-by-the-Sea.:
$450
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Carmel 1-Way Transfer to/from San Francisco Airport:
$410
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Private transfer from SFO to or from Sacramento (SUV):
$400
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Private Airport Transfer From SFO to San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf:
$395
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Private Airport Transfer from SFO To Carmel-by-the-Sea.:
$370
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Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport:
$310
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Private Airport Transfer from SFO to Yountville, Napa Valley:
$300
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Private Airport Transfer From SFO to Napa Valley:
$270
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SFO Roundtrip Airport Hotel Transfer:
$267
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Private Airport Transfer from SFO to Sonoma Valley:
$255
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Private Transfer from SFO to Napa:
$235
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Private One-Way Airport Transfer:
$220
Is it cheaper to fly into Phoenix or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Phoenix 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Phoenix can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $29 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in San Francisco can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $37 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
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2-Day Grand Canyon Tour from Phoenix:
$539
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3-Day Sedona and Grand Canyon Rail Experience:
$820
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4 Person Guided U Drive Jeep Experience:
$650
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A Day In The Old West Adventure including Horseback Ride and Cowboy Lunch:
$325
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ATV Rentals and Tours:
$350
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Apache Trail Full Day Small Group Tour:
$139
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Apache Trail Small Group Tour with Canyon Lake Cruise:
$165
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Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Tour:
$129
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Awesome Instagram Tour of Phoenix:
$150
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BYOB Pedal Bar Experience In Old Town Scottsdale:
$53
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Biplane - 30 Minute Scenic Sightseeing Tour in Phoenix:
$250
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Christmas | Holiday Lights ISM Zoomtown Lights 2 Hour Tour:
$320
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
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1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$55
-
1-Day Small-Group Napa Valley Tour for Wine Lovers:
$209
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1-Hour Golden Gate and Lombard GoRide Scooter Tour:
$54
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1.5-Hour Waterfront Mini Segway Tour:
$55
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1HR San Francisco Chinatown and Downtown GoCar Tour:
$71
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2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour:
$79
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2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour & Alcatraz:
$150
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2-Day Muir Woods and Wine Country Tour from San Francisco:
$569
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2-Day San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Night Tour:
$79
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2-Day Yosemite National Park Tour from San Francisco:
$499
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2-Day Yosemite National Park Winter Tour from San Francisco:
$589
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2-Hour San Francisco Bay Happy Hour & Cocktail Cruises:
$35
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Phoenix, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $13.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Francisco, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $15.
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
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Wine Tours, Airport Transportation and more!:
$100
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Custom Arizona Brewery Tour:
$245
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Private Southern Arizona Wine Tour Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$997
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Private Wine Tour from Phoenix to Sonoita-Elgin Vineyards:
$1,650
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
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San Francisco Bar Hunt: Soul of San Francisco Bar Crawl:
$12
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3-Hour Pub Crawl in San Francisco:
$18
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San Francisco North Beach Pub Tour:
$58
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San Francisco North Beach Pub Crawl:
$60
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From Tri-Valley Half-Day Wine Tour:
$75
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Half-Day Sonoma Wine Tour:
$100
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San Francisco City & Wine tour:
$115
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Shore Excursion: Napa and Sonoma Ultimate Wine Tasting Experience Full-Day Tour:
$135
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Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour with Optional Lunch:
$135
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Full-Day Muir Woods with Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour:
$135
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Chariot wine tour:
$145
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Viticulture with Charm: Sonoma Valley Wine Tour from San Francisco:
$149
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Phoenix and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Phoenix.
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