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

Should you visit Kansas City or Hood River?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Hood River? 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 Hood River?

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.

Hood River

The city of Hood River is the seat of Hood River County, Oregon, United States. It is a port on the Columbia River, and is named for the nearby Hood River. The dynamic town of Hood River is one of the best windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in the world. Strong river currents, prevailing westerly winds and a vast body of water provide the perfect conditions for these wind sports, attracting sometimes hundreds of photogenic enthusiasts who zip back and forth across the wide Columbia River.

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, Hood River 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
    Hood River Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Hood River $174

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Hood River is $174. 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 Hood River in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Hood River $78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Hood River $156
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Hood River

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Hood River? 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 Hood River


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 Hood River Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Hood River $46

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Hood River?

Prices for flights to both Hood River 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
    Hood River $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Hood River $18

Tours and Activities in Hood River

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

  • Columbia Gorge Kayak Tour: $100
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $179

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Hood River $19


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


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Hood River?

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

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 Hood River in the Summer?

Both Hood River and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hood River this time of year.

In July, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 82°F (28°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Hood River. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hood River during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Hood River. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Hood River 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Hood River in the Autumn?

Both Hood River and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Hood River for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kansas City is a little warmer than Hood River in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 60°F (15°C) in October, and Hood River fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Hood River. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 155 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Hood River. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Hood River 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Hood River in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Hood River. Also, many visitors come to Hood River in the winter for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hood River can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In the winter, Kansas City is much colder than Hood River. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kansas City in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Hood River averages at about 40°F (4°C).

Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Hood River during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Hood River receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Hood River receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Hood River. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Hood River 40°F (4°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Hood River in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Hood River. Also, most visitors come to Hood River for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Hood River. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 58°F (15°C), and Hood River fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hood River. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the spring, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hood River. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hood River receives 231 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Hood River. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Hood River receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Hood River 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Hood River and Kansas City

Kansas City Hood River
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 40°F (4°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 51°F (11°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (51 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 64°F (18°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.7 inches (18 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1 inches (25 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 63°F (17°C) 1.7 inches (44 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 46°F (8°C) 5.4 inches (136 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 40°F (5°C) 6.1 inches (156 mm)