Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Boston?
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 Boston 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 Boston 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: Boston or Tucson?
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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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Boston Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoston $291Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $291, 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 Boston and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Boston and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Boston 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Tucson $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Boston Logan to Downton Boston : $300
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in Boston (hotel OR airport pick-up): $196
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $190
- Private Transfer from Newport Port to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) : $192
- Private Transfer from Newport Cruise Port to Boston city hotels: $192
- Private Transfer from Flynn Cruise Port to Boston Airport (BOS): $81
- Private Transfer from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Newport Port: $192
- Private Transfer from Boston City to Boston (BOS) Airport: $113
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $192
- Private Transfer from Boston Airport to Providence RI: $294
- Private Transfer from Boston Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port: $82
- Private Transfer from Boston (BOS) Airport to Boston City: $112
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Boston 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 dayBoston $86Tucson $63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Solo Walking Tour : $5.50
- Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $65
- Boston Pizza Lovers Food & History Walking Food Tour: $69
- North End Pizza Walking Tour with 3 Slices & Cannoli: $69
- 2-Hour Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef in Boston: $75
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
- Pizza, Beer, and Paul Revere Tour: $75
- City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $89
- Boston’s Politically Incorrect North End Food tour: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boston $33Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Boston Massachusetts Private Photography Tour: $130
- Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $26
- Salem Witch Tour: $80
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $30
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $30
- 1 Hour Boston Segway Tour: $69
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour of Boston With *20+ Stops: $48
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $35
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $35
- 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour: $5.00
- 2-Day Niagara Falls USA Tour from Boston: $49
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Bar Crawl Back Bay Beat Bar Craw: $15
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
- 2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston: $35
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $56
- Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour: $60
- Freedom Trail History Tour and Brewery Taste: $71
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston: $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Tucson, we can see that Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Tucson?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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.