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

Should you visit Kansas City or Minneapolis?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Minneapolis? 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 Minneapolis?

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.

Minneapolis

Known as one of the Twin Cities with its neighbor, Saint Paul, the Minneapolis area is the second largest economic center in the Midwest, behind Chicago. Originally a city of lumber and flour milling, the city has grown to prosper in commerce, rail and trucking, health care, industry, education, publishing, milling, and food processing amongst others. In addition to housing the headquarters for five Fortune 500 Companies, Minneapolis is a city of thriving culture. From visual arts, music, and theater to sporting events and award-winning restaurants, the entertainment is never lacking.

Which place is cheaper, Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis is $206. 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 Minneapolis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Minneapolis $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Minneapolis $220
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Minneapolis

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Minneapolis? 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 Minneapolis


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 Minneapolis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Minneapolis $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Minneapolis

Also for Minneapolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Minneapolis Airport MSP: $88
  • Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
  • Minneapolis Airport (MSP) to Minneapolis - Arrival Private Transfer: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Minneapolis?

Prices for flights to both Minneapolis 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
    Minneapolis $40

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Minneapolis

For Minneapolis, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Minneapolis Food Tour - Walking: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Minneapolis $27

Tours and Activities in Minneapolis

For Minneapolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Challah Baking Experience: $72
  • Christmas in the City: A Minneapolis Walking Tour: $699
  • Complete Minneapolis Walking Tour: $99
  • Experience St. Paul Ghost Walking Tour: $29
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Minneapolis with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Ghost Walking Tour in Minneapolis: $29
  • In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • In the Footsteps of Prince: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Minneapolis: $7.99
  • Lost Souls Tour: $20
  • Mall of America: 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $44
  • Mall of America: Crayola Experience Flexible Date Ticket: $31
  • Mighty Mississippi: A Self-Guided Riverside Walking Tour: $7.99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Minneapolis $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Minneapolis

Also in Minneapolis, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • History and 4-Bar Crawl Guided Walking Tour: $69
  • All-Inclusive Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour: $85
  • 3-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $100


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


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Minneapolis?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Minneapolis. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis?

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 Minneapolis in the Summer?

Both Minneapolis and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Minneapolis in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Minneapolis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Minneapolis during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 357 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Minneapolis 76°F (25°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Minneapolis in the Autumn?

Both Minneapolis and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Minneapolis for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kansas City is a little warmer than Minneapolis in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Minneapolis fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 178 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Minneapolis 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Minneapolis in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Minneapolis. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Minneapolis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Minneapolis can be very cold. Kansas City can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kansas City is much warmer than Minneapolis. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Minneapolis averages at about 15°F (-10°C).

Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Minneapolis during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Minneapolis receives 157 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Minneapolis 15°F (-10°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Minneapolis in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Minneapolis. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Minneapolis this time of year.

In April, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Minneapolis. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Minneapolis fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minneapolis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the spring, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minneapolis receives 244 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Minneapolis. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Minneapolis receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Minneapolis 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Minneapolis and Kansas City

Kansas City Minneapolis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 15°F (-10°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 34°F (1°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 49°F (10°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 62°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 52°F (11°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 36°F (2°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 21°F (-6°C) 0.9 inches (22 mm)