A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hood River vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hood River or Kailua-Kona?

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hood River and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Hood River much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hood River would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hood River 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Hood River.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hood River Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hood River or Kailua-Kona?

Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Hood River. When comparing the sizes of Hood River and Kailua-Kona, 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.

When is the best time to visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hood River as well as Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Hood River for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Hood River is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Hood River average around 68°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hood River this time of the year. In the summer, Hood River often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.

Hood River usually gets less rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona and Hood River are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Hood River in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Hood River is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hood River averages around 55°F (13°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Hood River usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Hood River gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hood River usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

Both Kailua-Kona and Hood River during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Hood River for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hood River can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Hood River is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hood River in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In the winter, Hood River often gets less sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.

Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hood River. Hood River usually gets more rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hood River or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hood River and Kailua-Kona. The spring months attract visitors to Hood River because of the natural beauty.

In April, Hood River is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Hood River average around 51°F (11°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Hood River, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hood River usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Hood River gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hood River usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Hood River gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Hood River