A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kansas City vs. Whistler for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kansas City or Whistler?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Whistler? 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 Whistler?

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.

Whistler

Located in the province of British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is most famous as the largest ski area in North America. It is also only a short distance from the city of Vancouver, and offers countless opportunities for snow boarding and other winter sports. The town has a permanent population of almost 10,000 and there is a larger seasonal population of workers that come from all over the world. Whistler is a major travel destination with more than two million people visiting the town yearly. As such, there are countless amenities available to visitors. Hotels can vary dramatically in price and quality. There are some budget options, including a couple of hostels in the area, but most people do not visit Whistler as a budget travel destination. It's usually an expensive vacation, but few would argue that it isn't worth the cost.

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 Contiki Tours to Canada, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Whistler, we can see that Kansas City is more expensive. And not only is Whistler much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Whistler would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Whistler 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 Kansas City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kansas City than you might in Whistler.

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 Whistler Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Whistler?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Whistler. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City and Whistler, 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 Whistler?

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 Whistler in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Whistler. Additionally, many visitors come to Whistler in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kansas City is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Whistler averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Whistler. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the summer, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 296 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets more rain in July than Whistler. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Whistler in the Autumn?

Both Whistler and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Whistler for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kansas City is generally a little warmer than Whistler. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Whistler fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Whistler. In October, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Whistler. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kansas City or Whistler in the Winter?

Both Whistler and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Whistler because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Whistler can be very cold. Kansas City can be very cold during winter. Kansas City is much colder than Whistler in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Whistler fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Whistler. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Whistler receives 55 hours of full sun.

Whistler gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Whistler. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kansas City or Whistler in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Whistler. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Whistler this time of year.

In the spring, Kansas City is much warmer than Whistler. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Whistler averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Whistler during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Whistler receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

Whistler receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Whistler. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Whistler receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Whistler and Kansas City