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

Should you visit Kansas City or Durango?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Durango? 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 Durango?

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.

Durango

Located in the State of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains, Durango is on the tourist maps because of its historic narrow gauge railroad that connects the city to the town of Silverton. Durango has a population of just over 16,000 and it is only a short distance from the "four corners" area where New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado all meet. The landscape surrounding Durango is quite impressive and includes the Animas River Valley, the San Juan Mountains, and some beautiful red sandstone bluffs.

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, Durango 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
    Durango Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Durango $190

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Durango is $190. 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 Durango in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Durango $79
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Durango $158
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Durango

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Durango? 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 Durango


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 Durango Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Durango $27

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Durango?

Prices for flights to both Durango 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
    Durango $86

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Durango

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Durango's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Hot Springs (for 2)
    $50
  • Tubing (for 2)
    $40

Tours and Activities in Durango

For Durango, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Scenic Waterfall Jeep Tour~ 2.5 hours: $99
  • 12-Zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
  • 12-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $173
  • 6-zipline Adventure in the San Juan Mountains near Durango: $140
  • 700 Year Tour - Half Day Mesa Verde Cultural Tour: $101
  • Durango After Dark: Dead Rails Gorge Ghost Tour: $24
  • Durango Half Day Jeep Tour - La Plata Canyon: $130
  • Durango Half Day Jeep Tour - La Plata Canyon: $130
  • Durango Rafting - Animas River Adventure Day: $185
  • Durango Train and Silverton Jeep Tour Package: $215
  • La Plata Canyon Exclusive Access Jeep Tour: $127
  • La Plata Canyon Scenic Waterfalls Jeep Tour: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Durango $30


When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Durango, 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 Durango Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Durango?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Durango. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Durango, 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.