Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Santa Barbara?
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 Santa Barbara can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Santa Barbara?
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
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 $157Santa Barbara $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $162. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Santa Barbara $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Barbara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Barbara:
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Port to Los Angeles Airport: $93
- Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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 $36Santa Barbara $46
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 5 STARS: "Where The Locals Go!" Nature-History Tour: $95
- Authentic Funk Zone Tour: $125
- City & Sand Electric Bike Tour: $105
- Coastline Kayak Tour near Santa Barbara with Knowledgeable Guide: $122
- Downtown SB Walking Food & Drink Tour: $175
- Electric Bike Adventure in Santa Barbara Wine Country: $83
- Epic Zipline Tour Over The Santa Ynez Valley: $139
- Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor: $55
- Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide: $55
- Montecito Coastline Electric Bike Guided Tour: $125
- Private Helicopter Tour in Santa Barbara: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Paranormal Pairing: Wine Tasting Walk with Ghost Storytelling: $105
- Solvang Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $185
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $194
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Ynez Valley: $199
- Wine Tasting Tour in Santa Ynez Valley (All-Inclusive & Full-Day): $215
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Wine Tasting Tour from Santa Barbara: $219
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Barbara/Santa Ynez Wine Tour (We Drive Your Vehicle): $300
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Santa Barbara?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Santa Barbara, 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.