Which place is cheaper, Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara?
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.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara is located in California, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles. It sits between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, giving it a stunning backdrop. The town has a population of just 90,000 but it still offers visitors many cultural, culinary, and shopping experiences that surpass many large cities. There are wide beaches along a beautiful coastline, impressive wineries, and many top rated restaurants. Many people see Santa Barbara as a hangout for the rich and famous, but with a university and diverse population, the city is much more relatable than you might expect, although travel prices here are still somewhat high.
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 PricesSanta Barbara Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKansas City $196Santa Barbara $196
The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Santa Barbara is $196. 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 Santa Barbara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKansas City $88Santa Barbara $88
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKansas City $176Santa Barbara $176
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Santa Barbara
Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Santa Barbara? 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 Santa Barbara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kansas City $44Santa Barbara $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Santa Barbara?
Prices for flights to both Santa Barbara 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 $82Santa Barbara $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kansas City $11Santa Barbara $27
Tours and Activities in Santa Barbara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Barbara are as follows:
- Tours of Santa Barbara ( Private touring ): $219
- 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
- 3-Winery Tour Tastings & Lunch Included from Santa Barbara in SYV: $179
- 3-Winery Tour: Lunch Included from Santa Barbara in Santa Ynez: $119
- 3-Winery Tour: Lunch Included from Santa Ynez/Solvang/Buellton: $89
- 3-Winery Tour: Tastings & Lunch Included from Santa Ynez/Solvang: $149
- Beginner or Intermediate Mountain Bike Tour of Santa Barbara: $125
- Bellosguardo Estate Tour: $100
- Best of Santa Barbara Walking Tour with Ice Cream : $90
- Coastal Cruise on Yacht in Santa Barbara: $40
- Epic Zipline Tour near Santa Barbara: $155
- Gaviota Coast Kayak Tour Near Santa Barbara (3.5 Hours): $122
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKansas City $12Santa Barbara $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Santa Barbara
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Santa Barbara:
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Camping$20
Sample the Local Flavors in Santa Barbara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santa Barbara:
- Santa Barbara Craft Brewery and History Crawl: $140
- Private Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $150
- Santa Ynez Valley Biking and Wine Tasting Tour: $175
- Solvang Santa Ynez Valley Small Group All-Inclusive Wine Tour : $180
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour of Santa Barbara Wine Country: $235
- Santa Barbara Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Estates & Wineries: $235
- Small-Group Wine Tour to Private Locations in Santa Barbara : $235
- Santa Ynez Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $239
- Santa Ynez Cupcake & Wine Tour (All-Inclusive): $259
- Santa Barbara Wine Tour Experience - Authentic and Boutique : $265
When comparing the travel costs between Kansas City and Santa Barbara, we can see that Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Santa Barbara?
Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Santa Barbara. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Barbara in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Santa Barbara. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Barbara this time of year.
Kansas City is a little warmer than Santa Barbara in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 65°F (19°C).
Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Santa Barbara. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKansas City 82°F (28°C)Santa Barbara 65°F (19°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Barbara in the Autumn?
Both Santa Barbara and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Santa Barbara for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Santa Barbara averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In October, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKansas City 60°F (15°C)Santa Barbara 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Barbara in the Winter?
Both Santa Barbara and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Santa Barbara in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Kansas City. In January, Kansas City is generally much colder than Santa Barbara. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Santa Barbara. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKansas City 30°F (-1°C)Santa Barbara 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Kansas City or Santa Barbara in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Santa Barbara. Also, most visitors come to Santa Barbara for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Kansas City is around the same temperature as Santa Barbara in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Santa Barbara fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In April, Kansas City usually receives more rain than Santa Barbara. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Santa Barbara receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKansas City 58°F (15°C)Santa Barbara 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Barbara and Kansas City
| Kansas City | Santa Barbara | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 65°F (19°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (15°C) | 2.4 inches (62 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 inches (30 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.