Which place is cheaper, Hilo 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 Hilo?
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 Hilo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Hilo?
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.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
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 PricesHilo Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Hilo $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $222. 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 Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Hilo? 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 Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Hilo $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Your Island Welcome: Private KOA Airport Transfers: $40
- Waikoloa beach hotels to Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from to Kona Airport (KOA) to Hilo Cruise Port: $203
- Private Transfer from Kona Airport (KOA) to Kailua Kona Port: $97
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kona Airport (KOA): $97
- Private Transfer from Hilo Cruise Port to Kona city hotels: $202
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $204
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $204
- Private Arrival Transfer from Keahole Kona Airport KOA: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo 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 $63Hilo $121
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $189
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $249
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Hilo $32
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Akaka Falls Tour - Volcanoes National Park and Hilo Discovery: $179
- 10 Bar Hawaiian Craft Chocolate Tasting Experience : $75
- 2-Hour Hilo Ghost Walks Tour: $59
- 3.5 Hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $99
- 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience on the Big Island: $253
- Big Island - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour: $23
- Big Island ATV Tour at Ohana Ranch: $159
- Big Island Family Off Road Farm Adventure: $129
- Big Island Farms Tour in Hawaii: $33
- Big Island Hawaii Volcano Day tour from Oahu and Hotel PU: $545
- Big Island Hawaii: Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Tour: $131
- Big Island Kohala Coast Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Hilo $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Hilo, we can see that Hilo 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo 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 Tucson Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Hilo?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Hilo, 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.