Which place is cheaper, Portland 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 Portland?
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 Portland can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 PricesPortland Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Portland $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Portland is $211. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Portland City Hotels to Astoria Cruise Port: $226
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $226
- Private Transfer from Astoria Cruise Port to Portland city hotels: $226
- Private Departure Transfer to Portland Airport (PDX): $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Portland Airport PDX: $40
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $63Portland $74
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour – Warm Donuts & History: $57
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Westside Food Tour Like a Local: $90
- Downtown Food Tour of 6 Local Favorites Dishes: $100
- Portland Downtown Food Tour: 6 Tastings of Local & Global Flavors: $109
- Alphabet District Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
- Willamette River 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise: $127
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $128
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Portland $25
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $104
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $87
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- A Guided Walking Tour of Vibrant Downtown Portland: $44
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $85
- Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Capture your Oregon Adventures in a Magical Place: $189
- Coffee Roasters of Portland Eastside Walking Tour : $55
- Coffee, Donuts & Chocolate Tour : $69
- Columbia Gorge Waterfalls and Mt. Hood Tour - Full Day: $129
- Columbia River Gorge Full Day Small Group Tour & Hike: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Power Through Portland Bar Crawl: $12
- Private or Shared Party Bike Pub Crawl: $25
- Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Oregon Priority Wine Tasting Pass: $40
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $48
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Fun Pasta Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Fun Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Portland: $75
- Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery: $75
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $99
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Urban Wine Tasting Tour: $139
When comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 4% larger than the population of Tucson. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Portland, 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.