Which place is cheaper, Boston or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Boston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Boston? 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 Boston?
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.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 $161Boston $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Boston is $255. 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 Boston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Boston $166
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Boston
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Boston? 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 Boston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston downtown-to the Airport (BOS): $138
- Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston: $300
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $95
- Private transfer: Boston Airport (BOS) to Boston : $95
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Boston: $960
- Private Transfer in Boston (BOS) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $160
- Private Transfer from Boston to Flynn Cruiseport Boston: $115
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer between Boston Logan Airport and Boston City: $150
- Private Transfer Boston Airport BOS to Boston by Business or Luxury Vehicle: $122
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Boston?
Prices for flights to both Boston 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 $47Boston $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- Self Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Solo Walking Tour : $5.50
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $54
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $80
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $80
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Boston $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- "Ghosts of Boston" Walking Ghost Tour: $25
- "Witch Trials" Walking Tour in Salem: $25
- 1 If By Land Walking Tours: History Walking Tour of Boston: $45
- 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour with Harbor Cruise Option: $46
- 1692 Salem Day Tour: $32
- 1692 Salem Night Walking Tour: $32
- 2 Hour North End 'Little Italy' Walking Tour : $35
- 2-Hour Beacon Hill True Crime Expert Guided Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Boston Harbor Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $44
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $421
- A Bostonian Christmas Tour: $215
- A Ghost Hunting Tour Specters and Apparitions in Salem: $33
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Boston $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Salem Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Boston?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Boston, 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 Kansas City or Boston?
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 Kansas City or Boston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Boston. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kansas City is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the summer, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Boston. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Boston 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Boston in the Autumn?
Both Boston and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
In October, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Boston. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Boston 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Boston in the Winter?
Both Boston and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Boston. It's quite cold in Kansas City in the winter. Kansas City is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).
In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Boston. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Boston 29°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Boston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Boston. Furthermore, many visitors come to Boston in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kansas City is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Boston during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Boston. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Boston 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Boston and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Boston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
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.