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

Should you visit Kansas City or Chapel Hill?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Chapel Hill? 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 Chapel Hill?

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.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a college town in North Carolina that, together with Raleigh and Durham, makes up the Research Triangle area. The town is 28 miles northwest of Raleigh and 12 miles southwest of Durham. Chapel Hill dates back to 1819 when it was founded to support the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With a population of just over 52,000, Chapel Hill has the vibe of a small college town with the amenities of a larger community. It's proximity to both Raleigh and Durham give it an economic boost that provides economic diversity and security.

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, Chapel Hill or Kansas City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kansas City Prices
    USA Prices
    Chapel Hill Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Chapel Hill $200

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Chapel Hill is $200. 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 Chapel Hill in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Chapel Hill $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Chapel Hill $190
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Chapel Hill

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Chapel Hill? 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 Chapel Hill


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 Chapel Hill Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Chapel Hill $34

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Chapel Hill?

Prices for flights to both Chapel Hill 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 $82
    Chapel Hill $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Chapel Hill $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Chapel Hill $40


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


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Chapel Hill?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Chapel Hill, 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 Chapel Hill?

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 Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Kansas City during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chapel Hill this time of year.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the summer, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kansas City usually gets less rain in July than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Chapel Hill 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Chapel Hill. Also, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Chapel Hill 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Chapel Hill. Also, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Chapel Hill can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Chapel Hill 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

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

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives less sunshine than Chapel Hill during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Chapel Hill 60°F (16°C)

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Kansas City

Kansas City Chapel Hill
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)