A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kansas City vs. Cincinnati for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kansas City or Cincinnati?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Cincinnati? 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 Cincinnati?

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.

Cincinnati

Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Cincinnati or Kansas City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Cincinnati is $183. 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 Cincinnati in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Cincinnati $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Cincinnati $204
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Cincinnati

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Cincinnati? 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.

Hotels in Kansas City


Hotels in Cincinnati


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 Cincinnati Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Cincinnati $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Cincinnati?

Prices for flights to both Cincinnati 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kansas City $47
    Cincinnati $55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.

  • Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $61
  • Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY: $79
  • Cincinnati Court Street Food Tour with Vegan Options: $85
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market : $85
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Cincinnati $26

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cincinnati Ghosts By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Haunted Cincinnati Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour: $36
  • Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
  • 1919: The year that changed baseball tour: $31
  • Brewers & Barons Trail Tour: $45
  • Built on Beer Tour: $45
  • Cellars and Saloons Sunday Brunch Tour in Cincinnati: $75
  • Cincinnati Ballparks & Breweries Bus Tour: $69
  • Cincinnati Brewing & Distilling Tasting Tour: $59
  • Cincinnati Ethnic Food and Culture Tour in Over the Rhine: $85
  • Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $19
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Tour: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Cincinnati $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: $49
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Small-Group Tour: $68


When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Cincinnati, we can see that Cincinnati is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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 Cincinnati Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Cincinnati?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Cincinnati, 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 Cincinnati?

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 Cincinnati in the Summer?

Both Cincinnati and Kansas City during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year.

In July, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the summer, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 298 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Cincinnati in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Cincinnati. Also, many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Cincinnati in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).

In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Cincinnati in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Cincinnati. Also, many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.

Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In the winter, Kansas City is much colder than Cincinnati. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 31°F (-0°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Cincinnati in the Spring?

Both Cincinnati and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. 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 Cincinnati during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Cincinnati. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Cincinnati and Kansas City

Kansas City Cincinnati
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)