Which place is cheaper, Albuquerque or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Albuquerque?
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 Albuquerque can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Albuquerque?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a large city in the middle of the desert, right in the heart of New Mexico. It's the largest city in the state and has a lot to offer visitors. The city has a quaint downtown with a handful of good shops and restaurants. The surrounding area is quite beautiful and every fall the city hosts a famous and spectacular hot air balloon festival.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Albuquerque $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Albuquerque is $135. 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 Albuquerque in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Albuquerque $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Albuquerque $138
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Albuquerque
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Albuquerque? 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 Albuquerque Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Albuquerque $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Albuquerque
Also for Albuquerque, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer To Albuquerque Airport ABQ: $40
- Private Arrival Transfer from Albuquerque Airport (ABQ): $40
- Balloon Fiesta Albuquerque 2024 transfers: $999
- Albuquerque to Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Albuquerque International Sunport Private Transfer: $196
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Round-Trip Transfer: $252
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Private Transfer: $126
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Pagosa Springs Private Transfer: $175
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Albuquerque?
Prices for flights to both Albuquerque 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 $36Albuquerque $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Albuquerque
For Albuquerque, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Albuquerque, NM: $79
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Albuquerque $24
Tours and Activities in Albuquerque
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Albuquerque.
- 12pm - Public High Noon History, Legends & Lore Tour - Guided Old Town Stroll: $35
- 4pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque: $54
- 6pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque: $67
- 8pm Private Ghost Tour of Old Town Albuquerque : $81
- ABQ Beer Tour: A Curated Craft Beer Experience in the Land of Enchantment: $105
- ABQ City Guided History Tour: $35
- Albuquerque Old Town Art Tour with Wine & Museum Admission: $85
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Albuquerque Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $49
- Albuquerque Snowshoe Experience: $135
- Albuquerque’s Family Adventure of A Journey of Discovery: $289
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Albuquerque $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Albuquerque, we can see that Tucson is more expensive. And not only is Albuquerque much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Albuquerque would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Albuquerque 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 Tucson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tucson than you might in Albuquerque.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Albuquerque Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Albuquerque?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Albuquerque. When comparing the sizes of Tucson and Albuquerque, 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.