Which place is cheaper, New York City or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or New York City? 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 New York City?
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.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
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 $161New York City $326
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in New York City is $326. 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 New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or New York City? 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 New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44New York City $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private Minivan from New York (Manhattan) Airport to City: $122
- Skip-the-line Tickets to Bronx Zoo with Private Transfers: $410
- Skip-the-line One World Observatory Tour with Transfers: $296
- Skip-the-line Metropolitan Museum of Art Tour with Transfers: $276
- Private transfer: LGA Airport to New York City: $81
- Private transfer from New York JFK Airport to New York City: $64
- Private arrival OR departure transfer in New York (hotel OR airport pick-up): $287
- Private Transfers between LGA Airport and New York City: $105
- Private Transfers between EWR Airport and New York City: $140
- Private Transfer: between Manhattan and Philadelphia: $524
- Private Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $162
- Private Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Luxury SUV: $162
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City 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 $47New York City $50
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- New York, Queens Culinary Stroll : Food Tour on Foot: $23
- Lower East Side and Essex Market Multicultural Food Tour: $39
- Half-Day Private Pizza Crawl in Manhattan: $40
- Shared Food Tour Bohemian Greenwichvillage: $45
- East Village Food Tour: $60
- NYC: Greenwich Village Guided Food Tour: $63
- East Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Greenwich Village Pizza Walk: $65
- West Village Pizza Walk: $65
- Greenwich Village NYC Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- Downtown Brooklyn Pizza Walking Tour: $65
- East Village Pizza Walk: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11New York City $180
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hour Session at Williamsburg's Adventure Park Area 53: $42
- 9/11 Memorial Tour with Skip-the-Line Museum Ticket: $55
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir and Amish FarmNHouse Tour from NY: $137
- Classic 1-Hour Central Park Pedicab Tour : $69
- Grand Central Terminal Walking Tour: $35
- New York City Ghost Tour of Greenwich Village: $36
- Official Central Park Pedicab Tours: $50
- THE VIP CARRIAGE RIDE with photo stops (50min) ~ Skip the line : $150
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket : $110
- & Juliet on Broadway Ticket with VIP Experience and Lunch: $299
- 1 Day Tour to Philadelphia and Hershey's Chocolate World: $179
- 1 Day-Private Tour New York Highlights: $280
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12New York City $29
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
- NYC: Brooklyn Nightlife Pub Crawl: $34
- New York: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- New York Rooftop Pub Crawl: $39
- NYC: Manhattan's Only Whiskey Distillery Tour & Tasting: $42
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- Little Italy Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Lower East Side Prohibition Pub Crawl: $74
- Guided Brooklyn Craft Brewery Tour: $99
- 1920s Schooner Sail with Wine Tasting: $139
- Hudson Valley Craft Brewery Bike Tour: $145
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and New York City, we can see that New York City 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 New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City 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 New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and New York City, 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 New York City?
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 New York City in the Summer?
Both New York City and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to New York City because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than New York City. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
In October, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as New York City. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than New York City. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or New York City in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and New York City. Furthermore, many travelers come to New York City for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in New York City. It's quite cold in Kansas City in the winter. Kansas City is cooler than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than New York City. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or New York City in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as New York City. Additionally, many visitors come to New York City in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kansas City is a little warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Kansas City usually gets less rain in April than New York City. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Kansas City
| Kansas City | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 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.