Which place is cheaper, Providence or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Providence?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Providence? 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 Providence?
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.
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
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 $161Providence $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Providence is $210. 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 Providence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Providence $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Providence $228
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Providence
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Providence? 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 Providence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Providence $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $91
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $46
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $46
- Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $169
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $61
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $49
- Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $36
- New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer: $272
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Providence?
Prices for flights to both Providence 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 $47Providence $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Providence $26
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Boat Tour of Green Jacket Shoal: $58
- Brews Cruise with Narragansett Beer: $60
- Cocktail Cruises with Rhode Island Spirits: $50
- Creative Capital: Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $40
- Discover Providence Guided Sightseeing Tour: $40
- Downtown Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Haunted Boat Tours: $49
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Providence, RI: $15
- Narrated Boat Tours: $38
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
- Power and Politics: The Struggle for the Soul of Providence Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Providence $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Providence
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Providence:
- Vineyard Voyages - Floating Wine Tasting: $58
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence 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 Providence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Providence?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Providence, 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 Providence?
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 Providence in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Providence. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Providence because of the family-friendly experiences.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Providence in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Providence during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Providence. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Providence 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Providence in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Providence. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Providence this time of year.
In the autumn, Kansas City is a little warmer than Providence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Providence averages at about 53°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Providence. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Providence 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Providence in the Winter?
Both Providence and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Providence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Providence. It's quite cold in Kansas City in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).
Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Providence during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Providence. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Providence 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Providence in the Spring?
Both Providence and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit.
Kansas City is much warmer than Providence in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the spring, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Providence. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in April than Providence. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Providence 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Providence and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Providence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.