Which place is cheaper, Hilo or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Hilo?
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 Hilo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Hilo?
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.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
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 $157Hilo $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $167. 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 Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Hilo? 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 Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Hilo $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kailua Kona city hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona City Hotels to Kailua Kona Port: $58
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $169
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $169
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo 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 $36Hilo $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class: $175
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Hilo $32
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Early Morning Whale Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor: $125
- 2018 Eruption Adventure Tour (includes Fissure 8): $199
- 4 Hour Captain Cook Bay Cruise: $99
- 4-hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $94
- 6 passengers' max, Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona: $140
- 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience on the Big Island: $240
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour: $129
- Afternoon Marine Adventure: $109
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- Big Island - Kohala Coast & Backcountry Driving Tour: $9.99
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Hilo $10
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Hilo, we can see that Hilo 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 Hilo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Hilo?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Hilo, 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.