> the Hyperloop concept was that the tracks should be much cheaper, since all you need is a steel tube [Technical nitpick first: tube is a structural element,

> the Hyperloop concept was that the tracks should be much cheaper, since all you need is a steel tube [Technical nitpick first: tube is a structural element, while pipe is something that can hold pressure.] The price of pressure-rated steel pipe is roughly proportional to the diameter squared. At 132 inches in diameter, the hyperloop pipe itself would cost at least $600/ft. It would also weigh > 1000 lbs/ft, so the support system would be absolutely massive and probably double that price. That's just the cost of raw materials. For comparison, Elon Musk's total cost estimate is $1400 per foot per pipe [$6 billion total cost, 380 miles, two pipes], so I'm inclined to say that his estimate might be a bit optimistic. From what I can tell, total cost per foot for maglev is estimated around $6000/ft. [US highway construction cost per lane per foot is also around that number.] But I understand those numbers as the total cost including also engineering work, shipping/logistics, actual building work, buying the land etc. While my $1200/ft estimate is just raw materials. So if we as a very coarse estimate say raw materials is 1/4 of the price, hyperloop is not significantly cheaper than maglev.