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

Should you visit Kansas City or Monterey?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Monterey? 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 Monterey?

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.

Monterey

When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.

Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.

Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.

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, Monterey 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 Monterey is $170. 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 Monterey in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Monterey $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Monterey

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Monterey? 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 Monterey


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 Monterey Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Monterey $32

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Monterey?

Prices for flights to both Monterey 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
    Monterey $56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Monterey

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

  • Guided Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $150

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

Tours and Activities in Monterey

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

  • Big Sur: Sightseeing Tour with 4 to 5 Stops: $125
  • California: Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
  • From San Francisco: Monterey and Carmel Day Tour: $114
  • Monterey Bay: Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $95
  • Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $70
  • Monterey Cannery Row: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
  • Monterey County Salinas Valley Farm Tour: $120
  • Monterey Fisherman's Wharf & Presidio Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
  • Monterey Peninsula Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Monterey Peninsula Sightseeing Tour along the 17 Mile Drive: $115
  • 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
  • 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Monterey $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:

  • Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $150


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


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Monterey?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Monterey, 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 Monterey?

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 Monterey in the Summer?

Both Monterey and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kansas City is much warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Monterey. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Monterey 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Monterey in the Autumn?

Both Monterey and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Monterey. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Monterey 62°F (17°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Monterey in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Monterey. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kansas City in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Monterey. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Monterey 51°F (11°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Monterey in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Monterey. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Monterey. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Monterey 56°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Monterey and Kansas City

Kansas City Monterey
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 53°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.1 inches (55 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 59°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 62°F (16°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.6 inches (14 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2 inches (51 mm)