Which place is cheaper, Sacramento 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Sacramento?
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.
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.
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 PricesSacramento Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Sacramento $320
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $320. 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 Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Sacramento $111
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Sacramento
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Sacramento? 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 Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Sacramento $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $74
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Sacramento Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $294
- Napa, CA to Sacramento Airport (SMF) - Departure Private Transfer : $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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 $63Sacramento $92
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chinese Wonton Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
- Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $115
- Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
- Discover Midtown - Delicious Walking Food Tour: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Sacramento $19
Tours and Activities in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 60 Minute Adventures - The Escape Game at The Galleria: $42
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $15
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $15
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $15
- City Cruises Rock the Yacht Cocktail Cruise 21+: $49
- Downtown Sacramento Mural and Art Walking Tour : $45
- Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Folsom Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $9.75
- Granite Adventure at Quarry Park Adventures Rocklin, CA: $59
- Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Mini Golf Experience 9 Hole Course in Sacramento: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Sacramento $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Apple Hill Wine Tasting Tours And Placerville wine tasting tours: $169
- Old Vine Express Train Ride with Wine Tasting: $174
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Sacramento, we can see that Sacramento 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 Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sacramento 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 Sacramento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Sacramento?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Sacramento, 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.