Which place is cheaper, Calgary or Tucson?
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 Tucson or Calgary?
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 Calgary can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Calgary?
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.
Calgary
Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesCalgary Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Calgary $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $177. 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 Calgary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Calgary $146
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Calgary
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Calgary? 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 Calgary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Calgary $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Private Transfers during Calgary Stampede: $72
- Private Transfer: Calgary Airport to Downtown: $109
- Private Transfer within Calgary from Airport or Hotels: $110
- Private Transfer from Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury SUV: $141
- From Bus Transfer to Jasper: $154
- From Bus Transfer to Banff: $60
- Experience Private Airport Transfer in Calgary: $51
- Departure Private Transfer: Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Luxury Van: $141
- Departure Private Transfer: Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $118
- Prvt. Transfer YYC Airport to WinSport Olympic Park: $86
- Private Transfer to Calgary from Airport: $150
- Private Transfer to Banff: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Calgary?
Prices for flights to both Calgary 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 $63Calgary $54
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
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Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Calgary.
- Sushi Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $62
- Pasta Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Calgary: $62
- Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $80
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $127
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Calgary $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary
Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Stampede Admission (for 2)$22
Tours and Activities in Calgary
Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Day Lake Louise, Moraine Lake & Columbia Icefield Rockies Tour: $80
- 3 Day Banff Moraine Lake Louise Johnston Columbia Icefield Tour : $240
- 6-Hour Private City Tour Drive to Calgary Tower: $682
- Airport Pickup & Private Tour from Calgary to The Rockies!: $256
- Badlands Tour: Drumheller with Museum, Hoodoos & Coal Mine: $121
- Banff Explorer™ Private Tour with Moraine Lake & Lake Louise: $537
- Banff Gondola Hot Springs Bow Falls and Three Lakes tour: $73
- Banff Gondola Upper Hot Springs & Top 3 Lakes Tour from Calgary: $87
- Banff Johnston Canyon and Banff Gondola 1 Day Tour from Calgary: $117
- Banff Mountain Adventure with Hiking and Canoeing Options: $115
- Banff National Park Exclusive Small Group Tour: $73
- Banff National Park Tour with a Small Group: $143
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Calgary $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary Bar Crawl: Cruisin' Calgary: $12
- Brewery Tours at Award Winning Venues: $82
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $88
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Calgary, 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is Calgary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Calgary?
Calgary has a larger population, and is about 97% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Calgary, 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.