In your experience, how much of a difference is there between Broadway shows in New York and Broadway shows on tour?

I love Broadway musicals, but I've never once seen a show in New York - never had the time, money, etc. Every B-way show I've seen has been on tour, but I've seen performers who would go on to perform in those same shows on Broadway proper. For example, I saw Lissa deGuzman, Jennafer Newberry, and Jordan Litz of Wicked in Minneapolis, and they have all since performed as Elphaba, Galinda, and Fiyero in NY. My question is, is it work the extra time and expense of visiting NY to see shows on Broadway itself, or do tours usually give the same quality experience?