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

Should you visit Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells? 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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.

Wisconsin Dells

Located in central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells offers natural beauty, fun rivers, and some of the area's most famous theme parks. Wisconsin Dells is one of the two towns that make up "The Dells." The other town, Lake Delton, is another popular Midwestern tourist spot.

Wisconsin Dells is about an hour north of Madison and two hours from Milwaukee. It's famous for its striking rock formations and scenic bluffs. The town's name comes from the Dells of the Wisconsin River, which is an impressive gorge that was originally formed by a glacier.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Wisconsin Dells or Kansas City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, while the average daily cost in Wisconsin Dells is $142. 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 Wisconsin Dells in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Wisconsin Dells $70
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Wisconsin Dells $140
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Wisconsin Dells

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells? 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.

Hotels in Kansas City


Hotels in Wisconsin Dells


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 Wisconsin Dells Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Wisconsin Dells $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells?

Prices for flights to both Wisconsin Dells 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kansas City $47
    Wisconsin Dells $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Wisconsin Dells $46

Tours and Activities in Wisconsin Dells

Here are a few actual costs in Wisconsin Dells for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City and History Trolley Tour in Wisconsin Dells: $24

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Wisconsin Dells $9.14


When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Wisconsin Dells, we can see that Kansas City 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 Wisconsin Dells Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Wisconsin Dells. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Wisconsin Dells, 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 Wisconsin Dells?

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 Wisconsin Dells in the Summer?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Kansas City during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wisconsin Dells this time of year.

In July, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Wisconsin Dells, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the summer, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 309 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 74°F (24°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Wisconsin Dells. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wisconsin Dells for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Kansas City is a little warmer than Wisconsin Dells in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 171 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Wisconsin Dells. Additionally, many visitors come to Wisconsin Dells in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Wisconsin Dells can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In the winter, Kansas City is much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Wisconsin Dells averages at about 19°F (-7°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wisconsin Dells receives 141 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 19°F (-7°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wisconsin Dells in the Spring?

Both Wisconsin Dells and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Wisconsin Dells. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Wisconsin Dells fluctuates around 49°F (10°C).

It's quite sunny in Wisconsin Dells. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Wisconsin Dells during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Wisconsin Dells receives 208 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Wisconsin Dells. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Wisconsin Dells receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Wisconsin Dells 49°F (10°C)

Typical Weather for Wisconsin Dells and Kansas City

Kansas City Wisconsin Dells
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 19°F (-7°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 24°F (-5°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 36°F (2°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 49°F (10°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 60°F (16°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 52°F (11°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 39°F (4°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm)