I have an interesting question, a student of mine is adding a bathroom in a basement and wondering if a tub with tile is cheaper then adding a shower and tile. The properties ARV is around $475 so not high end. He has space to do either.

I'd love to hear thoughts.

Shooting from the hip the shower is likely more expensive, there isn't a significant price difference between a shower pan and bath tub, the square footage of tile on the wall is very similar (unless it is a bigger party shower) but to do the shower right you have to install the glass door which will run a few hundred installed. Also if not the full width of the bathroom, there will be some type of shelving/void to fill to consider.

As a second or third bathroom, I would weigh more on the number of bedrooms up vs down and if there is another bathroom with a tub upstairs. And if it is a 3rd bathroom I would price surrounds for the speed and ease. 

@Tim Emery ,

If you're looking for the cheapest, a tub with a surround will likely be it.    If you're looking to do a flip, and it's all about appearances, I think the tiled showers with back splash hints look amazing!      If it's a rental and just want it to look nice, try doing a tub/surround and do a pretty back splash trim above the surround!

Is there already an 

existing tub in the unit? If there isn't a tub will add value to the unit, but a second tub not so much.

I know for a fact I can always build and tile a shower stall for a whole lot less than a tub/shower combo. So if price is the only concern, I would go with a shower.

I personally added a shower/tub combo to the basement of my rental property because the main/only bathroom on the main floor of the bungalow didn't have a tub. Adding the tub in my opinion adds value especially to those that may have young children, or when you need a large area to clean large items.

Tub & tile- usually there is greater surface area (tub walls and ceiling) to tile so your costs of tile will go up, for the tile, the concrete backer board and the membrane. There is also the cost of the tub, and there is usually a higher cost for the hardware associated with tub/shower applications over a simple shower install.

As for purchasing a "shower pan" I have never bought one for any install I have ever done. I have always made the shower floor myself which is very easy to do if you're planning to tile the whole shower.

Thanks for the feed back. It's always good to here other opinions. He's got a clean slate in the basement so he can do what ever he wants. 

@Kevin Barlow Take a look at the feedback!

Thanks all for the feedback!!  It's a second bathroom located downstairs and the main floor already has a bathtub.  I'm leaning towards a shower and then providing shelving for linen next to the shower to account for the length that the tub would have been.  This decision is only a $$ decision.  I don't believe a tub would add value, but it would not detract so whatever is less expensive will win this battle royal of the bathroom!!  Thanks @Tim Emery