Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Asheville?
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 Asheville or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Tucson. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Asheville or Tucson?
Asheville
Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Asheville Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsheville $159Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Asheville is $159, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $184. 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 Asheville and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsheville $89Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsheville $178Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Asheville and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Asheville or Tucson? 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: Asheville Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asheville $14Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Asheville or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Asheville 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 dayAsheville $58Tucson $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asheville $20Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee$60
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Massage$40
Tours and Activities in Asheville
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Explore Asheville on Segway Tours: $65
- 2.5-3 HR Guided Scenic UTV Adventure: $175
- 2.5-3 hour Smoky Mountain Cherokee Blue Ridge Parkway Safari tour: $130
- 3 - 3.5 HR Smoky Mtn. Cherokee Eco Elk Safari Jeep Adventure : $150
- 3-3.5 HR UTV ECO Elk Wilderness Adventure : $250
- Asheville Ghost Tour: A Walk Through Riverside Cemetery & Montford Neighborhood: $27
- Asheville Historic Downtown Guided Electric Bike Tour with Scenic Views: $75
- Asheville Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Trolley Tour: $41
- Asheville Insider Guided Walking Tour: $35
- Asheville Night-Time Walking Ghost Tour : $27
- Asheville Sightseeing and Party Tour: $94
- Blue Ridge Parkway Guided Jeep Tour: $109
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsheville $16Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Asheville Bar Crawl: $15
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
- Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
- Bachelorette Royal Bar Crawl through South Slope District: $80
- Floating Bar Crawl Tour: $85
- Asheville Brewery Tour: $94
- 2 Vineyard Wine Tour of Western NC: $159
- Private Wine Tour with Dine in Black Mountain from Asheville: $230
- Three Vineyards Half Day Private Wine Tour From Asheville: $260
When comparing the travel costs between Asheville and Tucson, 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 Asheville Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Asheville or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Asheville and Tucson, 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.