Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Cincinnati?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cincinnati or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cincinnati or Dayton? 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: Cincinnati or Dayton?
Cincinnati
Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.
Dayton
Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCincinnati $183Dayton $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $183, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $323. 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 Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCincinnati $102Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCincinnati $204Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Dayton? 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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cincinnati $25Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
- Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton 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
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Food Meals for one dayCincinnati $55Dayton $61
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 Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
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Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cincinnati $26Dayton -
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
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Cincinnati: $9.59
- Queen of the West's Best - An Audio Tour: $12
- Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $18
- 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
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCincinnati $11Dayton -
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 Dayton
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $38
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Cincinnati much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cincinnati would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cincinnati 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton than you might in Cincinnati.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cincinnati Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Dayton?
Cincinnati has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Cincinnati and Dayton, 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 Dayton?
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 Dayton in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Dayton. Many travelers come to Cincinnati for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Dayton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cincinnati in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Dayton averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCincinnati 79°F (26°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cincinnati or Dayton in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Dayton. Many visitors come to Cincinnati in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In October, Cincinnati is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 58°F (15°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Cincinnati usually gets less rain in October than Dayton. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCincinnati 58°F (15°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Cincinnati or Dayton in the Winter?
Both Dayton and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cincinnati for the museums and the shopping scene during these months.
The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Cincinnati can be very cold during winter. Cincinnati is much warmer than Dayton in the winter. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCincinnati 31°F (-0°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Cincinnati or Dayton in the Spring?
Both Dayton and Cincinnati during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Dayton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cincinnati in April average around 56°F (14°C), and Dayton averages at about 55°F (13°C).
In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dayton. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCincinnati 56°F (14°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Cincinnati
| Cincinnati | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 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.