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

Should you visit Kansas City or Wilmington?

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

Should I visit Kansas City or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington?

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.

Wilmington

Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.

Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.

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, Wilmington 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
    Wilmington Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kansas City $196
    Wilmington $245

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $196, while the average daily cost in Wilmington is $245. 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 Wilmington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Wilmington $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Wilmington $240
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Wilmington

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City or Wilmington? 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 Wilmington


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 Wilmington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Wilmington $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Wilmington?

Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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
    Wilmington $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kansas City $11
    Wilmington $17

Tours and Activities in Wilmington

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

  • 2 Hour Sunset Sailing Tour in Wrightsville Beach: $95
  • 2-Hr, 45 Min Tour de Wilmington E-Bike Tour/Sightseeing/History: $70
  • 3.25-Hour Wilmington E-Bike Airlie Gardens Self-Guided Tour: $70
  • 5-Hour Wilmington River to Sea E-Bike Self-Guided Adventure Tour: $85
  • Black Water Adventure Cruise: $33
  • Cycle-logical Tours Guided eBike History Tour of Oak Island: $90
  • Downtown Wilmington Historian-Guided Walking Tour: $20
  • Eagles Island 50 minute Narrated Boat Cruise: $24
  • Experience the Exciting Fun of Surf Fishing: $165
  • History and Architecture Walking Tour : $25
  • Holiday Lights Cruise: $30
  • Island Hopper Cruise in Wrightsville Beach: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kansas City $12
    Wilmington $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Wilmington, we can see that Wilmington 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 Wilmington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wilmington 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 Wilmington Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Wilmington?

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

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 Wilmington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Wilmington. Also, many visitors come to Wilmington in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Wilmington. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kansas City in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Wilmington averages at about 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wilmington this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Wilmington during summer. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

Wilmington receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Wilmington 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wilmington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Wilmington. Also, most visitors come to Wilmington for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Kansas City is generally cooler than Wilmington. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 60°F (15°C), and Wilmington fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wilmington. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the autumn, Kansas City often gets less sunshine than Wilmington. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 227 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in October than Wilmington. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Wilmington 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wilmington in the Winter?

Both Wilmington and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Wilmington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kansas City can be very cold during winter. Kansas City is much colder than Wilmington in the winter. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Wilmington fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Wilmington during winter. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Wilmington receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Wilmington. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Wilmington 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Wilmington in the Spring?

Both Wilmington and Kansas City during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Wilmington this time of year.

In the spring, Kansas City is cooler than Wilmington. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kansas City in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Wilmington averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In Wilmington, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kansas City. In the spring, Kansas City often gets less sunshine than Wilmington. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wilmington receives 278 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Wilmington. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Wilmington receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Wilmington 63°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Wilmington and Kansas City

Kansas City Wilmington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 80°F (27°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 56°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)