Which place is cheaper, Reno or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Reno?
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 Reno can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Reno?
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.
Reno
In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.
The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.
Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
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 $157Reno $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Reno is $144. 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 Reno in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Reno $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Reno
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Reno? 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 Reno Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Reno $23
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Reno:
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Car Wash$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno
Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
- Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $66
- Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $185
- Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Reno?
Prices for flights to both Reno 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 $36Reno $54
Typical Food Prices in Reno
For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dennys for Breakfast$22
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Sushi DInner (for 2)$40
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In-n-Out Burger (for 3)$19
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Reno $88
Tours and Activities in Reno
For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- ATV - Tours & Trap Shooting Combo Packages from Reno: $129
- (18+) Private 30-Minute Axe Throwing Experience Ticket: $40
- 45 Minutes Twinkle Tours in Reno: $130
- Biking Adventure Tour from Reno: $102
- Burning Man Art and Downtown Mural Private Tour: $65
- Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Downtown Reno Tour: $55
- Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Experience Raptors and Falconry in Reno: $125
- From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Historic Donner Party, Immigrant Trail and Lake Tahoe Photo Tour from Reno: $206
- Horseback Riding Adventure from Reno: $279
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Reno $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Reno
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Reno:
- 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25
- Brewery Tour: $130
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Reno, 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 Reno Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Reno?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Reno, 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.