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

Should you visit Kansas City or Durham?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Durham? 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 Durham?

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.

Durham

Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.

Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.

Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.

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, Durham 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 Durham is $162. 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 Durham in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Durham $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Durham $184
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Durham

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Durham? 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 Durham


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 Durham Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Durham $33

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Durham?

Prices for flights to both Durham 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
    Durham $44

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

Tours and Activities in Durham

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:

  • Downtown Durham Historic Walking Tour: $16
  • Durham African American History Tour: $16
  • Durham NC: Art Walking Tour: $20
  • True Crime Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Durham $34


When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Durham, we can see that Durham 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 Durham Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Durham?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Durham. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Durham, 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 Durham?

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 Durham in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Durham. Additionally, many travelers come to Durham for the family-friendly experiences.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Durham in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Durham fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. 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 Durham. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 259 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Durham. Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Durham. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Kansas City or Durham in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Durham. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Durham averages at about 61°F (16°C).

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

In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Durham. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Durham 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Durham in the Winter?

Both Durham and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Durham can be very cold during winter. Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Durham. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Durham fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Durham. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Durham receives 162 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Durham. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Durham 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Durham in the Spring?

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

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Durham in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Durham fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Durham this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Durham during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Durham receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Durham. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Durham receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Durham 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Durham and Kansas City

Kansas City Durham
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)