Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
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 PricesPalm Springs Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Palm Springs $244
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Palm Springs $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA : $173
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $214
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $201
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $201
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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 $63Palm Springs $92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Palm Springs.
- Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Stephen: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Palm Springs $29
Tours and Activities in Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- Palm Springs Windmill Guided Tour by Golf Cart: $55
- 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $45
- 100+ Self-Guided Audio Tours: Driving & Walking Bundle: $100
- All-In-One California Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle Tour: $50
- Bombay Beach Salton Sea and Salvation Mountain Guided Art Tour: $225
- Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Drag Queen Hosted Mobile Theater Palm Springs Sightseeing Tours: $125
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $149
- Food Adventure Game: $99
- French Bicycle Tour of Palm Springs: $152
- Golf Cart Tour in a 6 Passenger Cart in Palm Springs California: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Palm Springs $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Palm Springs?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Palm Springs, 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.