Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Charleston?
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 Charleston or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Tucson, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Charleston or Tucson?
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
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 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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Charleston Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharleston $212Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $212, 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 Charleston and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharleston $90Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharleston $180Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Charleston 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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charleston $33Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
Is it cheaper to fly into Charleston or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Charleston 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 dayCharleston $100Tucson $63
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
- Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charleston $22Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 2-Hour Tiki Boat Tour in Folly Beach: $75
- 2hr Private River Cruise with stop at Morris Island: $325
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- 90 Minute Sightseeing Bus Tour of Historic Charleston: $32
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- A Ghost Tour with 10 ORIGINAL Stories AND Equipment!: $35
- Afternoon Charleston Harbor Boat Cruise: Family Friendly Scenic: $58
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $44
- Beat The Heat! Evening Walking History Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharleston $36Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
When comparing the travel costs between Charleston and Tucson, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charleston or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Charleston 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.