Which place is cheaper, Portland or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Portland? 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
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 $161Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $87
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport to The Summit at Snoqualmie Arrival Transfer: $184
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $150
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Lake Oswego to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $47Portland $43
Typical Food Prices in Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Portland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $93
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Portland $24
Tours and Activities in Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Champagne Brunch Cruise on Willamette River: $102
- 2-hour Lunch Cruise on Willamette River: $86
- 7 Wonders of the Gorge 3.5-hour Jetboat Cruise: $90
- 90 Minute Sailing Tour of Portland: $99
- A Full Day of Wonder: Wine, Waterfalls, and Timberline Tour: $189
- Aerial adventure above Portland, Oregon: $189
- Afternoon Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland: $75
- Afternoon Multnomah Falls and Gorge Waterfalls Tour: $75
- Air Tour of Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls from Portland: $199
- Air Tour of Multnomah Falls & Columbia Gorge from Portland: $159
- Airplane Flight Tour over Portland, Oregon: $99
- All Day Northern Oregon Wineries and Forest Bike Tour: $245
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Portland $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
- Multnomah Falls, Hood River Excursion Train Ride & Wine Tour: $210
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour - Full Day Tour: $225
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Portland, we can see that Portland 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 Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Portland, 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 Portland?
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 Portland in the Summer?
Both Portland and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kansas City is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in Portland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Portland. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Portland in the Autumn?
Both Portland and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Portland. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Portland. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Portland in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Portland. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland this time of year.
It's quite cold in Portland in the winter. The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. Kansas City is much colder than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Portland during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.
Portland receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Portland. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Portland in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Portland. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kansas City is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. 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 Portland. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Portland. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.