Which place is cheaper, Aspen or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Aspen?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Aspen? 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 Aspen?
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.
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
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 $161Aspen $293
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Aspen is $293. 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 Aspen in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Aspen $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Aspen $340
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Aspen
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Aspen? 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 Aspen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Aspen $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269
- Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Aspen?
Prices for flights to both Aspen 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 $47Aspen $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Aspen $45
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Aspen $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Aspen, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Kansas City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kansas City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kansas City 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Kansas City.
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 Aspen Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Aspen?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Aspen, 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.