Which place is cheaper, Boise or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Boise?
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 Tucson and Boise can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Boise?
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.
Boise
The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho, Boise is an urban center with the adventure of the outdoors just a step away. The metropolis itself has an active arts community and a lively downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, hosting musical festivals throughout the year and several theater groups that operate in the city. There is even a Department of Arts and History that was created with the goal of promoting the arts, culture, and history of the city among its residents and visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Boise $146
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Boise is $146. 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 Tucson and Boise in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Boise $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Boise $150
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Boise
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Boise? 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: Tucson Hotel Prices and Boise Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Boise $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Boise?
Prices for flights to both Boise and Tucson 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 dayTucson $36Boise $45
Typical Food Prices in Boise
For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hotel$59
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)$55
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Boise $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Edwards Boise Imax$27
Tours and Activities in Boise
For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Hells Canyon Kirkwood Jet Boat Tour near Boise, Idaho: $218
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Boise $24
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Boise, we can see that Tucson 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is Boise Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Boise?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Boise. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Boise, 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.