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

Should you visit Kansas City or Big Sur?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Big Sur? 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 Big Sur?

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.

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

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 Big Sur, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Big Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Sur 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 Big Sur.

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 Big Sur Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Kansas City or Big Sur?

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 Big Sur in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Big Sur. Also, many travelers come to Big Sur for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kansas City is much warmer than Big Sur in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Big Sur fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Big Sur. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kansas City or Big Sur in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Big Sur. Also, many visitors come to Big Sur in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Big Sur. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Big Sur averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Big Sur. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Big Sur in the Winter?

Both Big Sur and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Big Sur for the cuisine during these months.

Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Big Sur. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Big Sur fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Big Sur. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kansas City or Big Sur in the Spring?

Both Big Sur and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Big Sur because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Big Sur in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Big Sur fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Big Sur. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Big Sur receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Big Sur and Kansas City