Which place is cheaper, Colorado Springs or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Colorado Springs?
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.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the second largest city in the state of Colorado. It is located in the northeastern tip of the south central region of the state and is in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and alpine trees. It is also referred to as "America's Olympic City" because it is the location of the United States Olympic Training Center.
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 $157Colorado Springs $155
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Colorado Springs is $155. 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 Colorado Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Colorado Springs $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Colorado Springs $162
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Colorado Springs
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Colorado Springs? 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 Colorado Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Colorado Springs $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colorado Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Colorado Springs:
- Winter Park to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $131
- Snowmass/Aspen to Denver Centennial Airport - Departure Transfer: $295
- Snowmass/Aspen to Denver Airport DEN - Departure Private Transfer: $295
- Snowmass Ski Resort to BJC Airport - Departure Transfer: $295
- Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport to Snowmass -Arrival Transfer: $295
- Private Transfer from Beaver Creek Ski Resort to Denver Airport: $218
- Keystone resort to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $175
- Denver Airport BJC to Winter Park Ski Resort Round Trip Transfer: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Colorado Springs?
Prices for flights to both Colorado Springs 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 $36Colorado Springs $45
Typical Food Prices in Colorado Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Colorado Springs:
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Cold Stone Ice Cream (family of 4)$22
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Snacks at the Zoo (family of 4)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colorado Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Colorado Springs.
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Colorado Springs, CO: $86
- Classic 3-Hour Food Tour in Colorado Springs: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Colorado Springs $34
Tours and Activities in Colorado Springs
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Broadmoor History Segway Tour: $72
- 1-Hour Segway Tour of Cheyenne Cañon Art, History and Nature: $72
- 2 Hour Segway Tour in Cheyenne Cañon and Broadmoor Area: $108
- 3 Hours Private Ice Climbing Experience in Colorado: $240
- Astronomy Tour: $45
- Bike Tour in the Garden of The Gods: $245
- Broadmoor Hotel History Segway Tour: $78
- Cheyenne Cañon Art and Nature Segway Tour: $78
- Cocktails & Tastes Tour in Colorado Springs: $94
- Colorado Springs - Guided Walking Ghost / History Tour: $28
- Colorado Springs - Guided Walking Ghost / History Tour: $28
- Colorado Springs Pikes Peak Luxury Jeep Tours: $129
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Colorado Springs $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Colorado Springs
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colorado Springs:
- 2.5-Hour Brewery & Bites Walking Tour: $93
- Downtown Colorado Springs 2.5-Hour Brewery Tour: $94
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Colorado Springs?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Colorado Springs. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Colorado Springs, 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.