Comparison · Kansas City vs St. Louis · United States
Kansas City vs St. Louis
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stephen Edmonds, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Kansas City for Barbecue and burnt ends and Jazz heritage; choose St. Louis for Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 383 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 383 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Kansas City
- April–May and September–October
- Best time for St. Louis
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Kansas City | St. Louis | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Barbecue and burnt ends, Jazz heritage and Fountains | Gateway Arch, Forest Park and Free museums |
| Best time to visit | April–May and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$300 | $180–$290 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 32°C (90°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 3°C (37°F) | January, 4°C (39°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 6 | 12 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | MCI | STL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Kansas City for…
Barbecue and burnt ends and Jazz heritage. Kansas City straddles the Missouri–Kansas state line where the Kansas River meets the Missouri, and most visitors spend their time on the Missouri side between the River Market and the Country Club Plaza. A free streetcar runs along Main Street through…
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Choose St. Louis for…
Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights. St. Louis grew where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi, as a French fur-trading post and later the gateway for pioneers heading west, a role commemorated by the 192-metre Gateway Arch on the riverfront. Its greatest asset for visitors is Forest Park…
Top sights compared
| # | Kansas City | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National WWI Museum and Memorial | Gateway Arch |
| 2 | Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art | Forest Park |
| 3 | Negro Leagues Baseball Museum | Saint Louis Zoo |
| 4 | American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room | Saint Louis Art Museum |
| 5 | Union Station and Science City | Missouri History Museum |
Food compared
| Kansas City | St. Louis |
|---|---|
| Burnt ends | Toasted ravioli |
| Kansas City ribs | St. Louis-style pizza |
| The Z-Man sandwich | Gooey butter cake |
| Cheesy corn | Frozen custard concrete |
Which is cheaper?
Kansas City and St. Louis cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$300 in Kansas City and $180–$290 in St. Louis (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). St. Louis on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Kansas City and St. Louis are about 383 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Kansas City and 3 in St. Louis.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kansas City or St. Louis cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$300 in Kansas City and $180–$290 in St. Louis (estimates).
+Is Kansas City or St. Louis better for a first trip?
Pick Kansas City for Barbecue and burnt ends and Jazz heritage, or St. Louis for Gateway Arch, Forest Park and free sights.
+How far is Kansas City from St. Louis?
About 383 km in a straight line.