Which place is cheaper, Los Angeles 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.
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Should you visit Kansas City or Los Angeles?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Los Angeles? 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 Los Angeles?
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.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California is probably one of the most well known cities in the United States. It is the second most populated metro area in the country with more than 17 million people. The city's diversity is wide reaching, giving it a character that is unique from any other place in the country. LA has many world famous sights and neighborhoods including Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive, and Santa Monica, but there is really so much more to this city.
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.
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Kansas City Prices
USA PricesLos Angeles Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Los Angeles $300
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Los Angeles is $300. 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 Los Angeles in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Los Angeles $138
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Los Angeles $276
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Los Angeles
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Los Angeles? 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.
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 Los Angeles Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Los Angeles $40
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Los Angeles
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Los Angeles:
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Hotel Parking for a Day$22
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Taxi to Airport$55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Los Angeles
Also for Los Angeles, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- World Cruise Center to Long Beach Airport(LGB)-Departure Transfer: $140
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Los Angeles HTL-APT (LAX): $141
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Los Angeles APT-HTL (LAX): $96
- Transfer from Los Angeles City Center to LA Airport (LAX): $71
- Shared Airport Arrival Transfer: LAX International Airport to Anaheim, Buena Park or Garden Grove: $68
- SANTA ANA to Palm Springs Airport (PSP) - Departure Private Transfer: $245
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Los Angeles Airport (LAX): $127
- Private Transfers between LAX Airport and Los Angeles: $542
- Private Transfer: San Pedro Cruise Center and Los Angeles Hotels: $73
- Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Business Car: $262
- Private Transfer: LAX Airport to Anaheim Resort Area by SUV: $238
- Private Transfer: LAX Airport and Universal Studio Hollywood: $129
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Los Angeles?
Prices for flights to both Los Angeles 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
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Food Meals for one dayKansas City $82Los Angeles $104
Typical Food Prices in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Mexican Dinner (family of 4)$32
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Burritos for Two$15
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Coffee and Danish$7.70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!: $59
- West LA Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $65
- Downtown Los Angeles Food Tour: $89
- The Immigrant & Historic Businesses of Silver Lake Food Tour: $89
- Downtown Food Tour: $89
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour of Venice Beach: $94
- Venice Beach LA Food Tour: $99
- Venice Beach Food Tour: $99
- Marina Del Rey: Romantic Cruise, Dinner Charcuterie or Sushi: $99
- Marina Del Rey: Christmas Day Buffet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $101
- Hollywood Night Tour with Dinner & Comedy Show: $105
- Venice Beach Food Tour with Tastings: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Los Angeles $84
Typical Entertainment Prices in Los Angeles
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Los Angeles's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Santa Monica Pier Rides (family of 4)$37
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Bowling$13
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Hollywood Tour for Two$30
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Six Flags for 2$96
Tours and Activities in Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Los Angeles Private Tour: $249
- The Ultimate Coastal Tour: $249
- 1Hr Hollywood AI powered driving tour: $45
- 2 Hour Celebrity Homes Tour: $166
- 2-Hour Hollywood, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Open Bus Tour: $39
- 2-Hour Shared Celebrities Home Tours in Hollywood: $30
- 2-Hour Venice Beach Art and History Walking Tour: $39
- 2.5Hr Beverly Hills Sign & Mulholland Dr AI powered driving tour: $95
- 20 Min Ferrari tour in Hollywood (Drive or Be driven): $99
- 20 Min Lamborghini tour in Hollywood (Drive or be driven): $139
- 2Hr Hollywood Sign Tour AI powered driving tour: $75
- 3-hour Hollywood Chills Tour - Celebrity Scandals and Cemeteries : $249
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Los Angeles $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Los Angeles
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Los Angeles:
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Drag Bar Crawl with Drink in Los Angeles : $39
- LA : Drag Highlights - Bar Crawl & Show – Drinks Included!: $50
- 2 Hours Party Bike Pub Crawl Tour in Glendale California: $55
- Make Japanese Sushi at a Local Brewery in Los Angeles: $75
- Malibu: Vintage VW Sightseeing Tour and Wine Tasting: $195
- Wine Tour at Fess Parker Winery by Helicopter: $4,299
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Los Angeles, we can see that Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles?
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 Los Angeles in the Summer?
Both Los Angeles and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Los Angeles because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Los Angeles in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In July, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Los Angeles. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Los Angeles 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Los Angeles in the Autumn?
Both Los Angeles and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Los Angeles this time of year.
In the autumn, Kansas City is cooler than Los Angeles. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Los Angeles averages at about 64°F (18°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in October than Los Angeles. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Los Angeles 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Los Angeles in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Los Angeles. Also, many travelers come to Los Angeles for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Kansas City in the winter. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Los Angeles. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Los Angeles fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Los Angeles. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Los Angeles 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Los Angeles in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Los Angeles. Also, many visitors come to Los Angeles in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Kansas City is around the same temperature as Los Angeles in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Los Angeles fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in April than Los Angeles. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Los Angeles receives 1 inches (25 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Los Angeles 61°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Los Angeles and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Los Angeles | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 61°F (16°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0 inches (0 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.