Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Chicago? 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 Chicago?
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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
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 $161Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Chicago? 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 Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Chicago APT-HTL (ORD) , (MDW): $128
- Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago City - Chicago Airport (ORD): $138
- Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago Airport (ORD) -Chicago City: $138
- RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to Chicago Airport (ORD)- Chicago City: $276
- Private one-way airport transfer O'Hare Airport to/from Chicago : $86
- Private Transfer: Midway Airport MDW to Chicago by Luxury SUV: $163
- Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago (MDW) Airport: $144
- Private Transfer from Chicago (MDW) Airport to Chicago City: $144
- Private Transfer Chicago to Chicago Airport by Luxury Car or SUV: $87
- Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $220
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to Midway airport: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago 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 $47Chicago $49
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Fulton Market Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chicagoland Sightseeing in Style Luxury Private Sedan: $190
- Field Museum of Natural History Early Access Ticket : $73
- 2 Hour Pier Fireworks and Evening Segway Tour in Chicago: $78
- 2-Hour Chicago Fireworks Segway Tour: $80
- 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour: $68
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago: $65
- 2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago: $78
- 3 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops: $135
- Adults Party Art Experience: $66
- African American Heritage Tour of Chicago : $125
- Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $79
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.63
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Chicago, we can see that Chicago 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago 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 Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Chicago, 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 Chicago?
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 Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Kansas City during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kansas City is around the same temperature as Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the summer, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Chicago. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Chicago. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kansas City is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Chicago. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Chicago. Additionally, most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can be very cold during winter. Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Chicago. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. 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 Chicago during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Chicago. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 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.