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

Should you visit Kansas City or Gatlinburg?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Gatlinburg? 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 Gatlinburg?

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.

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

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

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Gatlinburg?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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 Gatlinburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Gatlinburg. Also, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the hiking.

In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun in the summer.

Gatlinburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kansas City or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Gatlinburg. Also, many visitors come to Gatlinburg in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Kansas City is generally cooler than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

Both Gatlinburg and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Gatlinburg can be very cold during winter. Kansas City can get quite cold in the winter. Kansas City is much colder than Gatlinburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Gatlinburg during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kansas City or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

Both Gatlinburg and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Kansas City is cooler than Gatlinburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In Gatlinburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the spring, Kansas City often gets less sunshine than Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in April than Gatlinburg. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Kansas City