Which place is cheaper, Durango 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 Durango?
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 Durango can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Durango?
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.
Durango
Located in the State of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, Durango is on the tourist maps because of its historic narrow gauge railroad that connects the city to the town of Silverton. Durango has a population of just over 16,000 and it is only a short distance from the "four corners" area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado all meet. The landscape surrounding Durango is quite impressive and includes the Animas River Valley, the San Juan Mountains, and some beautiful red sandstone bluffs.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesDurango Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Durango $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Durango is $190. 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 Durango in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Durango $79
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Durango $158
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Durango
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Durango? 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 Durango Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Durango $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Durango?
Prices for flights to both Durango 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 $63Durango $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Durango $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Durango
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Durango's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Hot Springs (for 2)$50
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Tubing (for 2)$40
Tours and Activities in Durango
For Durango, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Scenic Waterfall Jeep Tour~ 2.5 hours: $99
- 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
- 12-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
- 6-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $140
- 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour: $101
- Durango After Dark: Dead Rails Gorge Ghost Tour: $24
- Durango Half Day Jeep Tour - La Plata Canyon: $130
- Durango Half Day Jeep Tour - La Plata Canyon: $130
- Durango Rafting - Animas River Adventure Day: $185
- Durango Train and Silverton Jeep Tour Package: $215
- La Plata Canyon Exclusive Access Jeep Tour: $127
- La Plata Canyon Scenic Waterfalls Jeep Tour: $92
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Durango $30
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Durango, we can see that Durango 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 Durango Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Durango?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Durango, 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.