Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Kansas City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kansas City or San Francisco?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
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 $161San Francisco $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or San Francisco? 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 San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44San Francisco $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in San Francisco HTL-APT (SFO): $119
- Transfer in private vehicle from San Francisco City to Airport: $55
- Transfer in private vehicle from San Francisco Airport to City: $35
- Transfer in private Minivan from San Francisco Downtown to Airport (SFO): $183
- Transfer in private Minivan from San Francisco Airport (SFO) to Downtown city: $183
- Sedan Airport Transfer from Vallejo to SFO (one way): $259
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $120
- San Francisco to/from Yosemite National Park: 1-Way Transfer: $169
- San Francisco to Yosemite One-Way Transfer: $169
- San Francisco to San Francisco Airport (SFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
- San Francisco Airport to San Francisco Round Trip Transfer: $157
- San Francisco Airport to San Francisco Private Arrival Transfer: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $47San Francisco $46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
- Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $83
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
- San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
- Mission District Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11San Francisco $46
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- 2hr - SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
- Streets and Stairways of San Francisco with Local Guided Tour: $50
- "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
- 1 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $73
- 1-hour San Francisco Bay Area Photography Experience: $299
- 1.5-Hour San Francisco Bay Sailing Tour: $99
- 1HR San Francisco Chinatown and Downtown GoCar Tour: $97
- 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: $85
- 2-Hour Double Decker City Tour of San Francisco: $73
- 2-Hour Sunset or Evening Private Jeep Tour of San Francisco: $169
- 2HR Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Loop GoCar Tour: $172
- 2hr - INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12San Francisco $22
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Bar Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Sunset Distillery with Local Whiskey or Cocktail Tasting: $40
- Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $45
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
- Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
- The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
- Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
- The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or San Francisco?
San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and San Francisco. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kansas City is much warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or San Francisco in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as San Francisco. Additionally, most visitors come to San Francisco for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kansas City is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or San Francisco in the Winter?
Both San Francisco and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Kansas City can be very cold during winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or San Francisco in the Spring?
Both San Francisco and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.
Kansas City is around the same temperature as San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and Kansas City
| Kansas City | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.