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

Should you visit Kansas City or Columbia?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Columbia? 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 Columbia?

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.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

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 Columbia, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.

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 Columbia Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Columbia?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Columbia. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Columbia, 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 Columbia?

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 Columbia in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Columbia. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the summer, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Columbia. Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Columbia. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Columbia in the Autumn?

Both Columbia and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Columbia for the shopping scene.

Kansas City is cooler than Columbia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Columbia. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kansas City or Columbia in the Winter?

Both Columbia and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Columbia in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In the winter, Kansas City is much colder than Columbia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Columbia averages at about 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Columbia in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Columbia.

In April, Kansas City is generally cooler than Columbia. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Columbia fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbia. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Columbia and Kansas City