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

Should you visit Kansas City or Bar Harbor?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor?

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.

Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.

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 Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Bar Harbor?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?

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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Bar Harbor. Additionally, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kansas City is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).

Kansas City usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Bar Harbor. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?

Both Bar Harbor and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kansas City is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kansas City or Bar Harbor in the Winter?

Both Bar Harbor and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Bar Harbor this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bar Harbor in the winter. The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. Kansas City is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Bar Harbor. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Bar Harbor in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Bar Harbor. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kansas City is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).

In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Kansas City