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

Should you visit Kansas City or Roanoke?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke?

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.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a charming city located in the western region of the U.S. state of Virginia. Sometimes called the "Star City of the South" or the "Magic City," Roanoke lies in the scenic Roanoke Valley with Mill Mountain as a local icon, topped with a lighted 100-foot star. The city itself is home to many museums and opportunities for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

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, Roanoke 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
    Roanoke Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Roanoke $199

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Roanoke is $199. 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 Roanoke in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Roanoke $96
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Roanoke $192
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Roanoke

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Roanoke? 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 Roanoke


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 Roanoke Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Roanoke $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Roanoke?

Prices for flights to both Roanoke 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
    Roanoke $83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roanoke

For Roanoke, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Roanoke $35

Tours and Activities in Roanoke

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Roanoke.

  • 3-Hour E-Bike Sightseeing and Breweries Tour in Roanoke: $109
  • Blue Ridge Mountain E Bike Tour: $155
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $24
  • Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Downtown Roanoke Food, History & Cultural Tour: $80
  • E-Bike Mural Tour of Roanoke: $88
  • Mountain Bike Tour from The Roanoke Star: $139

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


When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Roanoke, we can see that Roanoke 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 Roanoke Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Roanoke?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Roanoke. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Roanoke, 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 Roanoke?

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 Roanoke in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Roanoke. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Roanoke fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Roanoke during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Roanoke 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Roanoke in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Roanoke. Additionally, many travelers come to Roanoke for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Roanoke. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Roanoke averages at about 60°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. 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 Roanoke. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 210 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Roanoke. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Roanoke 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Roanoke in the Winter?

Both Roanoke and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Roanoke in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Roanoke can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Roanoke. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Roanoke fluctuates around 38°F (3°C).

Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Roanoke receives 165 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Roanoke. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Roanoke 38°F (3°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Roanoke in the Spring?

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

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Roanoke in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Roanoke fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the spring, Kansas City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Roanoke. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Roanoke receives 246 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in April than Roanoke. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Roanoke receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Roanoke 59°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Roanoke and Kansas City

Kansas City Roanoke
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 38°F (3°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (88 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 79°F (26°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 51°F (11°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 42°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)