Which place is cheaper, El Paso 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 El Paso?
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 El Paso can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or El Paso?
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.
El Paso
El Paso is a city in west Texas, along the waters of the Rio Grande. Outside the city, Franklin Mountains State Park is home to cacti and desert wildlife like coyotes and golden eagles. The park's Wyler Aerial Tramway ascends to Ranger Peak for views of the city and over to Mexico. El Paso is coming up in the world and starting to make a name for itself. A sleek new hotel has opened downtown, luring locals back to the city’s core for socializing and dining. The new Montecillo entertainment and residential district to the west is booming. The city even has a new baseball team, the El Paso Chihuahuas. And the city’s first microbrewery opened in 2015. Outdoorsy types also have it made here: there’s cycling and hiking in the largest urban park in the US, and the nearby Hueco Tanks State Park is ideal for wintertime rock climbing. Best of all is the hospitality of the locals, which makes this city of nearly 700,000 feel a whole lot smaller.
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 PricesEl Paso Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184El Paso $200
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in El Paso is $200. 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 El Paso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93El Paso $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186El Paso $162
Compare Hotels in Tucson and El Paso
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or El Paso? 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 El Paso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27El Paso $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Paso
Also for El Paso, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer : $67
- El Paso Airport (ELP) to Truth or Consequences Arrival Transfer: $293
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or El Paso?
Prices for flights to both El Paso 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 $63El Paso $93
Typical Food Prices in El Paso
For El Paso, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Rudy's BBQ (family of 4)$40
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16El Paso $27
Tours and Activities in El Paso
For El Paso, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Jeep Tour: $130
- El Paso Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate: $102
- Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods Jeep Tour: $190
- Private Downtown City Sightseeing Tour of Juarez Mexico: $120
- Texas and New Mexico Bundle 4 day Self Guided National Park Tours: $40
- UTV Adventure Tour / Rental: $275
- Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour: $26
- Wraiths of the West Texas Wind: El Paso Ghost Tour: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16El Paso $27
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and El Paso, we can see that El Paso 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 El Paso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or El Paso?
El Paso has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and El Paso, 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.