A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kansas City vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea? 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Carmel-by-the-Sea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kansas City is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Kansas City