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

Should you visit Kansas City or Duck?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Duck? 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 Duck?

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.

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Duck 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 Duck is $188. 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 Duck in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Duck $107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Duck $214
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Duck

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Duck? 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 Duck


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Duck $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Duck?

Prices for flights to both Duck 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
    Duck $45

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Duck $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Duck $45


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Duck, we can see that Duck 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 Duck would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck 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 Duck Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Duck?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 790 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Duck, 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 Duck?

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 Duck in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Duck. Additionally, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Duck this time of year.

In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Duck. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Duck averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. 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 Duck. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Duck. Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Duck. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Duck 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Duck in the Autumn?

Both Duck and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Duck for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as Duck. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Duck fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck. 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 Duck during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Duck. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Duck 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Duck in the Winter?

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

Duck can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. Kansas City is much colder than Duck in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Duck fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Duck. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck receives 168 hours of full sun.

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Duck. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Duck 41°F (5°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Duck in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Duck. Also, most visitors come to Duck for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Duck. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Duck averages at about 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Duck during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Duck receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Duck. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Duck receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Duck 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Duck and Kansas City

Kansas City Duck
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)