Which place is cheaper, Albuquerque or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Albuquerque?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Albuquerque? 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: Kansas City or Albuquerque?
Kansas City
A large, mid western city that sits on the border between Missouri and Kansa, Kansas City has a population of about 450,000. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it is a surprisingly beautiful city with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. Most of the city's suburbs are concentrated in the south but the city is beginning to grow to the north as well. The climate in Kansas City can vary dramatically, in large part because it is so far from any form of water. Winters can range from mild to extremely cold and snow is not uncommon. Spring and fall and quite comfortable but summer months can be incredibly hot and humid.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $161Albuquerque $135
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, 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 Kansas City and Albuquerque in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Albuquerque $69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Albuquerque $138
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Albuquerque
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City 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: Kansas City Hotel Prices and Albuquerque Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Albuquerque $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
- Albuquerque to Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Round-Trip Transfer: $250
- Albuquerque Airport to Truth or Consequences Private Transfer: $125
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Pagosa Springs Private Transfer: $174
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $78
- Albuquerque Airport (ABQ) to Albuquerque - Arrival Private Transfer: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Albuquerque?
Prices for flights to both Albuquerque and Kansas City 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 dayKansas City $47Albuquerque $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.Kansas City $11Albuquerque $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 - 75 Minute Private Ghost Tour Up To 5 People For All Ages in New Mexico: $108
- 6pm PRIVATE GHOST TOUR of Old Town - 90 Minutes: $135
- 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: $287
- Albuquerque’s Family Adventure: A Journey of Discovery: $606
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Albuquerque $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Albuquerque, we can see that Kansas City 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 Kansas City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kansas City 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 Kansas City Expensive? and Is Albuquerque Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Albuquerque?
Albuquerque has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City 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.