Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 $161Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Philadelphia $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Philadelphia City to New York City - Private Car Transfer: $188
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $352
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $47Philadelphia $49
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $58
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $69
- Secret Food Tour: $83
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Philadelphia $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $552
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- Beyond the [Liberty] Bell History Walking Tour: $59
- City Sightseeing Philadelphia Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off (24, 48, 72 Hours): $68
- City Sightseeing Philadelphia HOHO Bus Tour + Bookable Extras: $36
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
Both Philadelphia and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Philadelphia. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. Kansas City can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kansas City is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Philadelphia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Philadelphia. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In April, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. 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 Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Philadelphia. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.