Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $161Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Honolulu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Transfer: Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport or Vice Versa: $199
- VIP Transfer Between Waikiki and Honolulu Airport, Vice versa: $135
- VIP Transfer Between Waikiki & Honolulu Airport, /vice versa: $136
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service Honolulu HTL-APT (HNL): $81
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
- Private Transfers between HNL Airport and Honolulu City: $56
- Private Transfer: Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Sedan: $108
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Sedan Car: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $47Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Aloha Plate Hawaii Food Tour from Honolulu: $208
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Honolulu $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $80
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 1 Hour Private Luxury Classic Car Sightseeing City Tour Honolulu: $138
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
- 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $113
- 3-Hour Adventure in Waikiki Water Park Adventure: $127
- 5 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $145
- 5-Star Oahu Sightseeing with local food & shrimp plate included: $133
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Honolulu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Honolulu?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kansas City or Honolulu in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Honolulu. Also, most visitors come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Honolulu. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kansas City is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Honolulu in the Winter?
Both Honolulu and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Honolulu this time of year.
The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. Kansas City is much colder than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kansas City is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the spring, Kansas City often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Honolulu. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.