A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Raleigh vs. Tucson for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Raleigh or Tucson?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Raleigh or Tucson? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Raleigh or Tucson?

Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.

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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Raleigh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, 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 Raleigh and Tucson in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Raleigh $104
    Tucson $93
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Raleigh $208
    Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Tucson

Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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.

Hotels in Raleigh


Hotels in Tucson


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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Tucson $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Tucson?

Prices for flights to both Tucson and Raleigh 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 day
    Raleigh $57
    Tucson $36
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:


  • The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)
    $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.

  • Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Tucson $16

Tours and Activities in Raleigh

Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey Game Ticket at PNC Arena: $68
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
  • Private Pedicab Tour of Downtown Raleigh: $60
  • Raleigh African American History Tour: $13
  • Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
  • Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $30
  • Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Raleigh $27
    Tucson $16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Raleigh and Tucson, we can see that Raleigh 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 Raleigh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Raleigh 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 Raleigh Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Tucson?

Tucson has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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.