Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Saint Louis?
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 Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona?
Saint Louis
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" and perhaps best known for its iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, has grown from a last stop for pioneers journeying west to a thriving metropolis notable for its diverse culture, impressive architecture, and unique neighborhoods. It sits on the Mississippi River and has plenty to offer in dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Saint Louis Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Louis $224Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Louis is $224, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Louis $101Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Louis $202Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona? 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: Saint Louis Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Louis $26Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
- Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $125
- Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $125
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $142
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Saint Louis 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 daySaint Louis $93Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
- Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - St. Louis, MO: $89
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Louis $46Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint Louis
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Gateway Arch parking$6.00
Tours and Activities in Saint Louis
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown St. Louis Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour App: $7.75
- Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $9.99
- St. Louis Blues Ice Hockey Game Ticket at Enterprise Center: $13
- Gateway Arch National Park Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Saint Louis Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $17
- Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $17
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $27
- St Louis Ghost Tours: Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour : $30
- St. Louis Soulard True Crime Tour: Historic Murders & Gangsters: $30
- St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Louis $19Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
- The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Saint Louis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Louis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Louis 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Saint Louis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona?
Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona, 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 Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona?
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 Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Louis is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Louis 81°F (27°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Louis is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Louis in October average around 60°F (16°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Saint Louis usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Louis 60°F (16°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In January, Saint Louis is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 31°F (-1°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Saint Louis usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Louis 31°F (-1°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit.
Saint Louis is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Louis 58°F (15°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Saint Louis
| Saint Louis | Kailua-Kona | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.