Which place is cheaper, Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica?
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 Santa Monica can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Santa Monica?
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.
Santa Monica
When it comes to visiting Los Angeles, Santa Monica is high on the must-see-and-do list. Chances are you'll recognize the iconic ferris wheel from Pacific Park in films and TV shows, and nothing beats the relaxed yet bustling vibe of this laid-back city.
Santa Monica is a popular and diverse beach town, cultural hub, fitness venue, shopping district, and neighborhood full of unique and trendy restaurants, all rolled into one. Visited by more than 6 million people a year, it's no wonder you'll always find a crowd there.
So whether you're up for a high-end shopping spree, bicycling down the waterfront, an eclectic food crawl or simply a stroll down the promenade, Santa Monica is sure to have something in store for you.
The weather in Santa Monica is moderate, with average summer highs in the low to mid 70s and winter climate that rests comfortably around the low 50s. Though flip flops and sandals are considered year-round footwear in Los Angeles, bring comfortable walking shoes for browsing galleries, malls, and boutiques. Santa Monica is the perfect place to break out your California-casual wardrobe.
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 PricesSanta Monica Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Santa Monica $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Santa Monica is $248. 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 Santa Monica in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Santa Monica $123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Santa Monica $246
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Santa Monica
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Santa Monica? 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 Santa Monica Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Santa Monica $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Monica
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Monica:
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport Departure Private Transfer: $191
- Santa Monica to Los Angeles Airport (LAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Santa Monica?
Prices for flights to both Santa Monica 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 $63Santa Monica $91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Monica
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Monica.
- City Cruises Los Angeles Dinner Cruise from Marina del Rey: $132
- Romantic-Surprise Dinner-Wine & Cheese or Sushi Boat Cruise: $149
- Gourmet Santa Monica Walking Food Tour with Delicious Dish: $159
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Santa Monica $38
Tours and Activities in Santa Monica
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Monica are as follows:
- 1934 Classic MotorSailer Experience Timeless Elegance and History: $240
- 3 ½-Hour Sea to the Stars Hollywood Hopper Tour: $55
- 3 Hour Private Jeep Tour of Santa Monica: $200
- 4-Hour Los Angeles Tour With Guide And Hotel Pickup: $131
- City Cruises Los Angeles Brunch Cruise from Marina del Rey: $129
- City Tour of Los Angeles from Torrance and El Segundo: $122
- E-Boat Ride in Marina Del Rey Boat Tour Experience: $85
- Exotic Tijuana Massage Tour in LA: $250
- Full Day Iconic Sites Tour of LA from Santa Monica with Six Stops: $99
- Half Day Best of Los Angeles Tour from Santa Monica : $79
- Hidden Los Angeles Private Photo Tour - Best for social media: $164
- Highway 1 Pacific Coast Highway Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Santa Monica $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Monica
Also in Santa Monica, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Santa Monica Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Santa Monica, we can see that Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Santa Monica?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Santa Monica. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Santa Monica, 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.