A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Dallas for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Cincinnati or Dallas?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Dallas? 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.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is a blue collar, authentic, and hard-working city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cincinnati and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Very walkable
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for students
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers
  • Less walkable


Is there more to do in Cincinnati or Dallas?

You'll generally find more things to do in Dallas than Cincinnati. Dallas is bigger than Cincinnati, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cincinnati is well known for its breweries and down-to-earth personality. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture. Also, Dallas is famous for the Sixth Floor Museum.

How is Cincinnati different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas and Cincinnati. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cincinnati or Dallas?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Plenty of people visit the great sights and museums in both Cincinnati and Dallas.

Cincinnati offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. You'll find both traditional and quirky museums around town. For outside-the-box, check out the American Sign Museum or the Behringer-Crawford Museum. Art museums include the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Taft Museum of Art. Other popular museums include the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, and the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.


Is the Food Better in Cincinnati or Dallas? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its restaurant scene. However, Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Dallas. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Cincinnati is not a culinary destination.

Is Cincinnati or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Dallas is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Dallas is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

If you're looking for night time activities Cincinnati has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is diverse and includes music venues, breweries, and nightclubs. In addition to the city's downtown, you'll find trendy places to hang out in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Breweries are popular in the city, in part because of its German roots.

Is the Shopping Better in Cincinnati or Dallas?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Dallas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Cincinnati has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are large shopping malls and retail outlets. You'll also find local boutiques in the Montgomery or Mariemont areas.


Is Cincinnati or Dallas Better for Families?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cincinnati is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dallas is a very kid-friendly city. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Cincinnati offers lots of family activities. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities around town like the Cincinnati Zoo, the Cincinnati Museum Center, Newport Aquarium, and Smale Riverfront Park.

Is Cincinnati or Dallas Better for Couples?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Dallas is well known for its romantic activities. However, Cincinnati is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Dallas frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Cincinnati is not always the best place to visit for a couple. If you do find yourself in town for a few days, there are several good restaurants and a number of music venues that can keep the visit fun and entertaining.

Is Cincinnati or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Cincinnati is very good for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cincinnati is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are actually a couple of hostels in town for backpackers or students.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.


Is Cincinnati or Dallas Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cincinnati
Dallas

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cincinnati and Dallas.

You'll find some public transit in Cincinnati, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus systems around town - the METRO and TANK bus systems. There's also a streetcar that travels through the downtown.

While Dallas offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Cincinnati or Dallas a more walkable city?

Cincinnati
Dallas

Cincinnati is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Dallas is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Cincinnati is a very walkable city. There are several surprisingly walkable areas, particularly downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable city. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

For even more information, also check out Is Cincinnati Worth Visiting? and Is Dallas Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Cincinnati?

How long in Cincinnati or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Cincinnati or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Dallas due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cincinnati, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

Families should spend more time in Dallas than Cincinnati. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dallas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dallas than Cincinnati. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dallas that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cincinnati than Dallas if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cincinnati.


  • How many days in Cincinnati or Dallas? Ideal Length of Stay
    Cincinnati 1-2 
    Dallas 2-4

One day in Cincinnati or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cincinnati. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the chic city of Dallas, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.


A weekend in Cincinnati or Dallas?

Cincinnati is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Dallas, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Cincinnati or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cincinnati. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Dallas, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Cincinnati or Dallas?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the hard-working destination of Cincinnati. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Dallas is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.


Which place is cheaper, Dallas or Cincinnati?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $183, while the average daily cost in Dallas is $141. 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 Cincinnati and Dallas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    Dallas $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    Dallas $168
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Dallas

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Dallas? 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 Cincinnati


Hotels in Dallas


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Dallas Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    Dallas $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $83
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $135
  • Dallas Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $59
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) to Plano or Allen - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
  • Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW): Transfer to Dallas: $206
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $84
  • Dallas to Dallas Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
  • Dallas to Dallas Airport (DFW) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $42
  • Departure Private Transfer Dowtown Dallas to Dallas Airport DAL Luxury Vehicle: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Dallas?

Prices for flights to both Dallas and Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati $55
    Dallas $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.

  • Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $61
  • Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY: $79
  • Cincinnati Court Street Food Tour with Vegan Options: $85
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market : $85
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $120

Typical Food Prices in Dallas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dallas.

  • West Village Happy Hour Food Tour: $39
  • Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
  • Discover Downtown Dallas Food Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • JFK Food & Culture Walking Tour with Food Tours of America: $89
  • Dallas Secret Food Tour: $98
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas with Private Tour Option: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    Dallas $13

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mt Adams Historic, Cincinnati, App/GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Haunted Walking Audio Tour: $6.75
  • Mount Adams Historic Smartphone Guided App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self Guided Cincinnati Ghost Haunted Walking Tour Audio Tour Music Hall OTR: $7.75
  • Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Ticket: $12
  • Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $19
  • Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati: $25
  • Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories: $28
  • Haunted Tour in Mount Healthy from Cincinnati: $29
  • Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour: $29

Tours and Activities in Dallas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:

  • Historic Downtown Audio Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Kennedy Assassination Walking Tour - Oswald Was Framed: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure City Game on Your Phone: $10
  • Dallas in Wonderland: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Must-See Landmarks & Attractions Self-Guided Tour: $13
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Plano by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Irving by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • John F. Kennedy Trolley Tour in Dallas: $22
  • Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket: $25
  • Historic West End Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • SEA LIFE Aquarium Grapevine Admission Ticket: $27
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Walking Tour : $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    Dallas $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
  • Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: $49
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Small-Group Tour: $68

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

Also in Dallas, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55
  • Dallas Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum: $55


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cincinnati Expensive? and Is Dallas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Dallas?

Dallas has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati and Dallas, 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 Cincinnati or Dallas?

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 Cincinnati or Dallas in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Dallas. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dallas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Cincinnati is cooler than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dallas this time of the year. In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Dallas 88°F (31°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Dallas in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Dallas. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene. Additionally, many visitors come to Dallas in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cincinnati is cooler than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October average around 58°F (15°C), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Dallas 69°F (21°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Dallas in the Winter?

Both Dallas and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Cincinnati is generally much colder than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Dallas 46°F (8°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Dallas in the Spring?

Both Dallas and Cincinnati during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dallas because of the activities around the city.

Cincinnati is cooler than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Dallas 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Dallas and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Dallas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm)