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

Should you visit Kansas City or Pasadena?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Pasadena? 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 Pasadena?

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.

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

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, Pasadena 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 Pasadena is $62. 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 Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Pasadena? 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 Pasadena


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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Pasadena $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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
    Pasadena $19

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Pasadena -

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Pasadena -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Pasadena, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Kansas City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kansas City than you might in Pasadena.

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 Pasadena Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Pasadena?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

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 Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Pasadena. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pasadena because of the family-friendly experiences.

Kansas City is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Pasadena. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Pasadena this time of year.

In the autumn, Kansas City is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pasadena 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 Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Pasadena. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Pasadena.

Kansas City is cooler than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Kansas City

Kansas City Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)