Which place is cheaper, Nashville 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 Nashville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Nashville? 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 Nashville?
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.
Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee, known as Music City USA and home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, is waiting for vacationers and tourists. Even though musical attractions may be Nashville's main showcases, there are still plenty of other places and activities to check out, like hiking along shorelines, visit urban parks filled with entertainment, fishing, zoos, museums, take in shows in a variety of venues and so much more. Nashville tourism is also a discount, coupon friendly town for independent travelers and families. There are also many free attractions to enable you to enjoy all that this part of God's country has to offer.
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 PricesNashville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Nashville $202
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Nashville is $202. 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 Nashville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Nashville $99
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Nashville $198
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Nashville
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Nashville? 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 Nashville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Nashville $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nashville
Also for Nashville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from John C Tune Airport-JWN: $150
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $60
- Airport to Downtown Private Transfer: $70
- Nashville Airport: One-Way Private Transfer to Nashville: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Nashville?
Prices for flights to both Nashville 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 $82Nashville $72
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nashville
For Nashville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- East Nashville Walking Food Tour with 5+ Tastings: $96
- The Gulch Walking & Tasting Food Tour: $98
- Secret Food Tour Nashville - 12South: $104
- East Nashville Guided Walking Food Tour: $145
- Dishing on Downtown: Nashville Food Tour: $145
- Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Food Tour: $189
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Nashville $27
Tours and Activities in Nashville
For Nashville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Franklin Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour with Live Narration: $39
- 3 Hour Back Country Can-Am Experience: $269
- 4 Hour Back Country Can-Am Experience: $299
- 4 Hour Can-Am Experience to Hampshire Wineries: $299
- African American History Walking Tour [Franklin, TN] : $197
- Bootleg & Barrels: A Tennessee Whiskey Tasting Experience: $38
- Civil Rights Tour Of Nashville: $298
- Civil War History Tour – The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee: $94
- Discover Fully Narrated Half-Day City Tour: $95
- From Memphis Tour with Graceland VIP Access: $329
- Murder on Music Row Country Music True Crime Ghost Tour: $33
- Nashville Downtown: Escape Room Adventure: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Nashville $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Nashville
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Nashville:
- Music City Pub Crawl: $25
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Drinkers & Thinkers Pub Crawl: $33
- Seeking Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Live Music Bar Crawl with Local Artists: $35
- Music History and Moonshine Pub Crawl: $35
- Revelry Tours Nashville Bordellos, Burlesque, and Blood Tour: $35
- Murder Mystery Interactive Party Game & Pub Crawl: $38
- Nashville's Haunted Spirits Murder & True Crime Pub Crawl: $38
- Hop-On Hop-Off Brewery Trolley Tour: $45
- Nashville Bar Crawl: Guided Pub Crawl with Drinks Discounts: $48
- Nashville's Speakeasy Secrets: True Crime Tasting Pub Crawl: $55
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Nashville, we can see that Nashville 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 Nashville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Nashville?
Nashville has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Kansas City. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Nashville, 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 Nashville?
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 Nashville in the Summer?
Both Nashville and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Nashville for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Nashville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Nashville averages at about 81°F (27°C).
It's quite sunny in Nashville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Nashville. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Nashville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Nashville in the Autumn?
Both Nashville and Kansas City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Nashville because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as Nashville. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Nashville fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
In Nashville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nashville. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 212 hours of full sun.
Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Nashville. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Nashville 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Nashville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Nashville. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nashville this time of year.
It's quite cold in Nashville in the winter. The weather in Kansas City can be very cold. Kansas City is much colder than Nashville in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Nashville fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).
Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Nashville during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Nashville receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Nashville. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Nashville 38°F (4°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Nashville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Nashville. Also, many travelers come to Nashville for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kansas City is cooler than Nashville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Nashville averages at about 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nashville. 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 Nashville. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nashville receives 234 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Nashville. Kansas City usually gets less rain in April than Nashville. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Nashville receives 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Nashville 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for Nashville and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Nashville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 43°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (117 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.