Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tucson or San Francisco?
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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or San Francisco?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesSan Francisco Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184San Francisco $251
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $251. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Tucson and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27San Francisco $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in San Francisco HTL-APT (SFO): $123
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in San Francisco APT-HTL (SFO): $122
- San Francisco to/from Yosemite National Park: 1-Way Transfer: $159
- San Francisco to San José Airport (SJC) - Departure Private Transfer: $226
- San Francisco to San Francisco Airport (SFO) Private Transfer: $70
- San Francisco to SFO | Private Airport Transfer (One-Way): $130
- San Francisco to Oakland Airport (OAK) Private Departure Transfer: $77
- San Francisco Port to San Francisco Airport SFO -Private Transfer: $78
- San Francisco Airport Transfer to SFO City (Special Offer): $31
- San Francisco Airport SFO to San Francisco Port -Private Transfer: $78
- San Francisco Airport 1-Way Transfer to and from the San Francisco: $150
- San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco Round Trip Transfer: $139
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $63San Francisco $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
- Exclusive North Beach Food Tour in San Francisco: $115
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise: $126
- San Francisco Combo: Ferry Building Food Tour and Alcatraz: $181
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16San Francisco $31
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- Electric Bike Tour De San Francisco: $100
- Explore San Francisco Napa Sacramento Oakland Black Exp Car Tour: $244
- Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
- North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor: $86
- Private Luxury Car Tour in San Francisco Hotel Kabuki: $99
- Small Group | 1 Day Tour Through Monterey From San Francisco: $205
- "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
- 2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands GoCar Tour: $219
- 3HR Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park GoCar Tour: $229
- 90 Minute Daytime Tour Aboard Wine Therapy: $85
- A Sip and Paint Experience in San Francisco: $89
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
- Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
- From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
- 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120
- San Francisco Shore Excursion: Napa & Sonoma Full-Day Wine Tour: $132
- Napa Valley Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour via San Francisco Ferry: $155
- Napa Valley and Sonoma Small Group Wine Tour from San Francisco: $168
- Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour & 24hr Hop-on Hop-off Tour: $169
- Small Group Napa and Sonoma Half-Day Wine Tour from San Francisco: $169
- Small Group: Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour- San Francisco: $179
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and San Francisco, 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.