Kansas City Budget Guide for World Cup 2026
Plan your trip
Kansas City is the most affordable major World Cup host city in the United States — accommodation costs are significantly lower than New York, Los Angeles, or Miami, restaurant prices are 20–30% below coastal averages, and the best food in the city (BBQ at Joe’s or Gates) costs $15–25 per person. For visitors on a budget, Kansas City delivers a high-quality experience at comparatively low cost.
Accommodation
Budget: Hostels downtown: $35–65/night per bed. Budget hotels near Power & Light: $80–130/night.
Mid-range: $150–300/night. Downtown Marriott, Loews Kansas City, and boutique hotels in the Crossroads and Power & Light zones. Strong value relative to other host cities at this price point.
Upper end: $300–600/night. The Raphael Hotel (Country Club Plaza), 21c Museum Hotel (downtown), and the Westin Crown Center.
World Cup premium: Expect 50–80% increase over baseline rates during match weeks in a smaller market than NYC or LA — hotel supply is tighter.
Transit
Kansas City Streetcar: Free.
Uber to Arrowhead Stadium: $25–40 from downtown. Round trip: $50–80 + possible post-match surge.
Airport (MCI) to downtown: $35–55 by Uber; $1.50 by bus.
Food
$30–50/day eating well:
- BBQ lunch at Joe’s or Gates: $15–25
- Breakfast at Town Topic diner: $8–12
- Dinner at a Crossroads neighborhood spot: $15–25
$80–130/day with restaurants:
- Lunch at Arthur Bryant’s: $15–20
- Dinner at The Rieger or Farina: $40–65 per person
- Breakfast and snacks: $15–20
The BBQ value: The best BBQ in Kansas City costs $15–25 per person at Joe’s, Gates, or Arthur Bryant’s — meaningfully less than comparable-quality BBQ in Austin or Nashville, which have seen significant price inflation.
Attractions
Free:
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (always free admission)
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art (free)
- Kansas City Sculpture Park (outdoor, free)
- Kansas City Streetcar ride
- Westport and Crossroads walking
- Country Club Plaza architecture
With admission:
- American Jazz Museum: $15
- Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: $15 (combination ticket with Jazz Museum: $20)
- The National WWI Museum: $18
- Kansas City Zoo: $20–25
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (performances): $25–100
Sample Budgets
Budget traveler ($70–90/day):
- Budget hotel: $100
- Food: $35 (BBQ joint lunch, diner breakfast, quick dinner)
- Transit: $10 (Streetcar free + one Uber)
- Attraction: $0 (Nelson-Atkins, outdoor walks)
- Total: ~$145/day
Mid-range ($150–200/day):
- Hotel Power & Light: $220
- Food: $70 (one sit-down + casual meals)
- Transit: $25 (Uber to stadium + local)
- Attraction: $20 (Jazz Museum)
- Total: ~$335/day
Note: World Cup match ticket costs are not included — these are daily living expenses only.
7-Night Stay Estimate (Mid-Range)
| Category | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | $1,540 |
| Food (7 days) | $490 |
| Transit (7 days) | $175 |
| Attractions | $75 |
| Incidentals | $100 |
| Total | ~$2,380 |
This is 25–40% lower than an equivalent week in New York or Los Angeles during the World Cup.
Plan your trip
