Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Palm Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
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 $161Palm Springs $206
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Palm Springs $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Private Transfer from PSP to Palm Desert / Indian Wells: $135
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $195
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to SANTA ANA - Arrival Private Transfer: $128
- Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) to ONTARIO - Arrival Private Transfer: $105
- Palm Springs Airport to Snow Summit - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $262
- Palm Springs Airport to Desert Hot Springs Round-Trip Transfer: $175
- Palm Springs Airport PSP to Snow Summit-Arrival Private Transfer: $131
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LOS ANGELES - Arrival Private Transfer: $171
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to LA QUINTA/INDIO - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to INDIAN WELLS - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
- Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Private Transfer: $87
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport Departure Transfer: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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 $47Palm Springs $53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Palm Springs $29
Tours and Activities in Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $50
- 100+ Self Guided Driving & Walking Tours by Action: $100
- Best of Palm Springs Small Group Tour w/ Aerial Tram: $166
- Covered Wagon Adventure & BBQ: $129
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $17
- Desert Healing Experience: $175
- Earthquake Canyon Express Downhill Bicycle Adventure: $139
- Food Adventure Game: $99
- Indian Canyons Walking Tour by Jeep from Palm Springs: $200
- Joshua Tree National Park Driving Tour : $235
- Joshua Tree National Park Offroad Tour: $235
- Joshua Tree National Park Scenic Tour: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Palm Springs $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Palm Springs, we can see that Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Palm Springs?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kansas City or Palm Springs in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Palm Springs. Also, many travelers come to Palm Springs for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kansas City is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 73°F (23°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Palm Springs. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Palm Springs in the Autumn?
Both Palm Springs and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Palm Springs in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Kansas City is generally cooler than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Palm Springs in the Winter?
Both Palm Springs and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Palm Springs for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. Kansas City is much colder than Palm Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Palm Springs. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Palm Springs in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Palm Springs.
In the spring, Kansas City is cooler than Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Palm Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 inches (42 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.