Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Saint Louis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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: Saint Louis or Tucson?
Saint Louis
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" and perhaps best known for its iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, has grown from a last stop for pioneers journeying west to a thriving metropolis notable for its diverse culture, impressive architecture, and unique neighborhoods. It sits on the Mississippi River and has plenty to offer in dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.
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 Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Louis $184Tucson $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Louis is $184, 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 Saint Louis and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Louis $101Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Louis $202Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Saint Louis and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis 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: Saint Louis Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Louis $26Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- St. Louis City to St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Private Transfers for Departure from Queens to JFK Airport: $29
- Private Transfer in Saint Louis, MO (STL): $80
- Private Transfer from Port Louis Airport (MRU) to Port Louis Port: $76
- Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $116
- Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Louis or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Saint Louis 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 daySaint Louis $54Tucson $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - St. Louis, MO: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Louis $46Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint Louis
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Gateway Arch parking$6.00
Tours and Activities in Saint Louis
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best of St. Louis Small Group Tour w/St Louis Arch & River Cruise: $174
- ChocoCulture Saint Louis Half-Day Private Tour: $299
- Exploring St. Louis with the Family Walking Tour: $211
- Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $5.20
- Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $15
- Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $15
- Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- Private Gastronomy Barbecue Tour in St. Louis: $125
- Romantic Tour in The City of Love: $174
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- St Louis Cardinals Baseball Game Ticket at Busch Stadium: $9.80
- St. Louis Arch and River Cruise Small Group Walking Tour: $144
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Louis $19Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
- The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Tucson, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis 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.