Which place is cheaper, Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City?
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 Salt Lake City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Salt Lake City?
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.
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is the capital city of Utah and one of the largest cities in the southwest region of the US. Salt Lake sits on the border between the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin regions, making it the perfect place for outdoor activities. The city's natural beauty and resources even became the focal point for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Salt Lake experiences all four seasons, with the most popular times to visit being summer and winter. Summer, June-August, sees little rain and temperatures in the high 80's Fahrenheit. Winter, December-March, has temperatures in the 30's Fahrenheit and gets the perfect amount of snow for winter sports.
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 PricesSalt Lake City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Salt Lake City $282
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Salt Lake City is $282. 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 Salt Lake City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Salt Lake City $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Salt Lake City $238
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Salt Lake City
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Salt Lake City? 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 Salt Lake City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Salt Lake City $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salt Lake City
Also for Salt Lake City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer: Hotels to SLC Airport: $45
- Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Salt Lake City : $132
- Private Transfer from Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) to Park City hotel or address: $286
- Private Transfer from SLC to Park City UT : $286
- Private Departure Transfer to Salt Lake City Airport SLC: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Salt Lake City?
Prices for flights to both Salt Lake City 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 $63Salt Lake City $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Salt Lake City $28
Tours and Activities in Salt Lake City
For Salt Lake City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Day Yellowstone&Mount Rushmore Tour from Salt Lake City: $1,348
- 45 Minute Great Salt Lake Boat Tour: $39
- 8-Day Tour: LA, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone & Las Vegas: $1,399
- Antelope Island Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Adventure: $99
- Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure: $149
- From 6-Day Yellowstone and Grand Teton Tour: $3,884
- From Bonneville Salt Flats Guided Tour: $149
- From Private Goblin Valley State Park Tour: $1,475
- From Yellowstone & Grand Teton 5-Day Tour: $1,368
- From Salt Lake Private Experience to Bonneville Salt Flats: $179
- Gourmet Dining Experience : $215
- Grand Teton,Yellowstone National Park 3-Day Tour from SLC: $1,016
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Salt Lake City $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Salt Lake City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salt Lake City:
- Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery Tour: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Salt Lake City, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Salt Lake City?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Salt Lake City, 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.