Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Milwaukee?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Milwaukee? 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 Milwaukee?
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.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $161Milwaukee $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 Milwaukee in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Milwaukee $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Milwaukee
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Milwaukee? 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 Milwaukee Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Milwaukee $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee
Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer : $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Milwaukee?
Prices for flights to both Milwaukee 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 $47Milwaukee $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Family Fun Food Tour: $80
- Local Food Tour: $96
- Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Milwaukee $26
Tours and Activities in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hour Sailing Adventure in Lake Michigan (up to 6 people): $128
- 2 Hours Private Tour of Milwaukee Marvels: $245
- 2-Hour Bus Tour in Milwaukee City: $40
- Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Cream City Cannibal: Jeffery Dahmer Walking Tour: $53
- Discover Iconic Milwaukee Tour : $67
- Downtown Kenosha Urban Art and Photography Walking Tour: $30
- Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
- Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $10
- Milwaukee Bucks Basketball Game Ticket at Fiserv Forum: $69
- Milwaukee Magic: A Private Christmas Lights Tour: $648
- Milwaukee Marvels: A 2-Hour Private Tour: $482
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Milwaukee $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Milwaukee
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Milwaukee, we can see that Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee in the Summer?
Both Milwaukee and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Milwaukee. 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 Milwaukee during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Milwaukee in the Autumn?
Both Milwaukee and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Milwaukee because of the shopping scene.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Milwaukee in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Milwaukee. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Milwaukee this time of year.
It's quite cold in Milwaukee in the winter. The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. In the winter, Kansas City is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 21°F (-6°C).
Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Milwaukee in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Milwaukee.
In April, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Milwaukee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the spring, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Milwaukee. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)
Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Milwaukee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 inches (44 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.