A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Kansas City vs. Santa Cruz for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz?

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.

Santa Cruz

On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Santa Cruz, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Kansas City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kansas City than you might in Santa Cruz.

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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Santa Cruz?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Santa Cruz. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Santa Cruz. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.

In the summer, Kansas City is a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 67°F (19°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Santa Cruz. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?

Both Santa Cruz and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Kansas City is generally cooler than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz in the Winter?

Both Santa Cruz and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. Kansas City is much colder than Santa Cruz in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 51°F (10°C).

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Santa Cruz. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Cruz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Santa Cruz. Furthermore, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Santa Cruz. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Santa Cruz averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Kansas City