Which place is cheaper, Tucson or Wilmington?
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 Wilmington or Tucson?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Wilmington or Tucson, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Wilmington or Tucson?
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Wilmington Prices
USA PricesTucson Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilmington $245Tucson $184
The average daily cost (per person) in Wilmington is $245, while the average daily cost in Tucson is $184. 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 Wilmington and Tucson in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilmington $120Tucson $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilmington $240Tucson $186
Compare Hotels in Wilmington and Tucson
Looking for a hotel in Wilmington or Tucson? 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: Wilmington Hotel Prices and Tucson Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wilmington $47Tucson $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Wilmington or Tucson?
Prices for flights to both Tucson and Wilmington 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 dayWilmington $97Tucson $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wilmington $17Tucson $16
Tours and Activities in Wilmington
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Wilmington.
- 2 Hour Sunset Sailing Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $95
- 2-Hr, 45 Min Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour/Sightseeing/History: $70
- 3.25-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Airlie Gardens Self-Guided Tour: $70
- 5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Self-Guided Adventure Tour: $85
- Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
- Cycle-logical Tours Guided eBike History Tour of Oak Island: $90
- Downtown Wilmington Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $24
- Experience the Exciting Fun of Surf Fishing: $165
- History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
- Holiday Lights Cruise: $30
- Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilmington $39Tucson $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wilmington and Tucson, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive? and Is Tucson Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wilmington or Tucson?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Wilmington. When comparing the sizes of Wilmington and Tucson, 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.