Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Pittsburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pittsburgh or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Pittsburgh 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: Pittsburgh or Tucson?
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania at the junction of 3 rivers. Set between the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, and a mountain ridge called Mt Washington, Pittsburgh has a unique character that is evident from the moment you arrive. Juxtaposed with the rumbling freight trains and the iconic bridges are the Bladerunner-esque self-driving Uber vehicles, scanning the roads with spinning Lidar scanners. Its Gilded Age sites, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, speak to its history as an early-20th-century industrial capital. In the North Shore neighborhood are the modern Andy Warhol Museum, Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Experiencing periods of boom and bust since its founding, the city is in a boom now, and it's a fun place to visit, with top-notch museums, great gardens and parks, and amazing food.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPittsburgh $181Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Pittsburgh is $181, 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 Pittsburgh and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPittsburgh $106Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPittsburgh $212Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Pittsburgh and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Pittsburgh 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: Pittsburgh Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pittsburgh $22Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pittsburgh
Also for Pittsburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Pittsburgh or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Pittsburgh 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 dayPittsburgh $54Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Pittsburgh $38Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.
- Best of the Burgh Walking Tour: $30
- Bike the Burgh Tour: $50
- Black & Ghost Tour: $30
- Discover Oakland Tour: $30
- Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.22
- Entrance Ticket to AT BLAQK House Collections: $7.00
- Essential Pittsburgh Experience - The One Tour to Take: $75
- HOP ON-HOP OFF TOUR PASS- All Day Sightseeing Tour Pass: $40
- New! Art & Artists Tour: $30
- New! Bikes & Brews Tour: $75
- Pittsburg 101 Tour: $30
- Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey Game Ticket at PPG Paints Arena: $51
Tours and Activities in Tucson
For Tucson, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Saguaro National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPittsburgh $33Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Pittsburgh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:
- Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
- Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
- New! Bites & Brews: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $40
- Bike and Brewery Tour: $69
- Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Pittsburgh and Tucson, we can see that Pittsburgh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pittsburgh Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pittsburgh or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Pittsburgh 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.