Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia or Tucson?
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Philadelphia Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhiladelphia $224Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Philadelphia is $224, 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 Philadelphia and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhiladelphia $119Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhiladelphia $238Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Philadelphia and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Philadelphia 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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Philadelphia $28Tucson $27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport PHL in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Airport PHL by Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer Philadephia to Philadelphia Airport PHL by Sedan: $94
- Private Transfer Philadephia Airport PHL to Philadelphia by SUV: $152
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $210
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $217
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Arrival Private Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Philadelphia or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Philadelphia 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 dayPhiladelphia $84Tucson $63
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Philadelphia Africatown Walking Food Tour: $56
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109
- Italian Market Private 2.5 Hour Walking Food Tour : $130
- Flavours of Private Reading Market 2.5-hr Food Tour: $290
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Philadelphia $28Tucson $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philly Italian Market Walking Tour Geno's: $79
- 1 Hour Philadelphia Private Guided Tour by Deluxe Electric Car: $150
- 2.5 Hour Philadelphia History Tour with Washington War Tent Show: $45
- 3-Hour Private Favorite & Secret Bars Walking Tour Philadelphia: $35
- 5K Walking Sightseeing Tour of Historic Benjamin Franklin Bridge: $24
- 90 Minute History Walking Tour of Old City Philadelphia: $29
- Alexander Hamilton Private Group Walking Tour in Philadelphia: $250
- Arabic Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia for 2 hours. : $75
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Badass Women's History Walking Tour of Philadelphia: $59
- Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour: $59
- City Sightseeing Philadelphia Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off (24, 48, 72 Hours): $68
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhiladelphia $21Tucson $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $50
- Philadelphia Prohibition Pub Crawl: $50
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Philadelphia and Tucson, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Philadelphia or Tucson?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Philadelphia 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.