Which place is cheaper, Pittsburgh or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Pittsburgh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Pittsburgh? 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 Pittsburgh?
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.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania at the junction of 3 rivers. Set between the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, and a mountain ridge called Mt Washington, Pittsburgh has a unique character that is evident from the moment you arrive. Juxtaposed with the rumbling freight trains and the iconic bridges are the Bladerunner-esque self-driving Uber vehicles, scanning the roads with spinning Lidar scanners. Its Gilded Age sites, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, speak to its history as an early-20th-century industrial capital. In the North Shore neighborhood are the modern Andy Warhol Museum, Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Experiencing periods of boom and bust since its founding, the city is in a boom now, and it's a fun place to visit, with top-notch museums, great gardens and parks, and amazing food.
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 $161Pittsburgh $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Pittsburgh is $181. 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 Pittsburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Pittsburgh $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Pittsburgh $212
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Pittsburgh
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Pittsburgh? 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 Pittsburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Pittsburgh $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pittsburgh
Also for Pittsburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Pittsburgh?
Prices for flights to both Pittsburgh 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 $47Pittsburgh $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Pittsburgh $38
Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.
- Best of the Burgh Walking Tour: $30
- Bike the Burgh Tour: $50
- Black & Ghost Tour: $30
- Discover Oakland Tour: $30
- Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.22
- Entrance Ticket to AT BLAQK House Collections: $7.00
- Essential Pittsburgh Experience - The One Tour to Take: $75
- HOP ON-HOP OFF TOUR PASS- All Day Sightseeing Tour Pass: $40
- New! Art & Artists Tour: $30
- New! Bikes & Brews Tour: $75
- Pittsburg 101 Tour: $30
- Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Hockey Game Ticket at PPG Paints Arena: $149
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Pittsburgh $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Pittsburgh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:
- Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
- Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
- New! Bites & Brews: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $40
- Bike and Brewery Tour: $69
- Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Pittsburgh, we can see that Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Pittsburgh?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 38% larger than the population of Pittsburgh. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Pittsburgh, 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.
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.