A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cincinnati vs. Detroit for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Cincinnati or Detroit?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or Detroit? 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 Detroit?

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.

Detroit

Detroit is the largest city in the Midwestern state of Michigan. Near Downtown, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is famed for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera, and inspired by the city's ties to the auto industry, giving it the nickname "Motor City." Detroit is also the birthplace of Motown Records, whose chart-topping history is on display at their original headquarters, Hitsville U.S.A.

Which city is cheaper, Detroit 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 Detroit is $133. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Detroit in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    Detroit $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    Detroit $128
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Detroit

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Detroit? 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 Detroit


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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 Detroit Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    Detroit $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:

  • Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $122

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Detroit

Also for Detroit, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Detroit - Wayne County Airport One Way Transfer: $80
  • Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Arrival Private Transfer: $106
  • Detroit Airport (DTW) to Detroit City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $212
  • Detroit City to Detroit Airport (DTW) - Departure Private Transfer: $106
  • Private Departure Transfer to Detroit Airport DTW: $43
  • Private Transfer From Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport to Detroit City: One Way Arrival Transfer: $149
  • Private Transfer from Detroit (DTW) Airport to Detroit City: $122
  • Private Transfer from Detroit City to Detroit (DTW) Airport: $122
  • Private Transfer: Detroit to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW): $622
  • Transfer from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to Detroit: $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Detroit?

Prices for flights to both Detroit 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
    Detroit $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

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

  • Cincy Vegan Streetcar Food Tour in Cincinnati: $69
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour + Findlay Market: $69
  • Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $180

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Detroit

For Detroit, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Fresh Mediterranean Inspired Cooking Class in a Unique Detroit Home: $94
  • Detroit Revival Food Tours: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    Detroit $21

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

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

  • 1919: The year that changed baseball tour: $30
  • Best Bites and Sites City Streetcar Tour of Cincinnati: $59
  • Cellarman's Tour: $26
  • Cincinnati Ethnic Eats in Over the Rhine Food and Culture Tour: $69
  • Cincinnati Wine & Dessert Tour: $65
  • 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $36
  • Cincy Let's Do Brunch Food, History + Streecar Tour: $74
  • Downtown Cincinnati Self-Guided Walking Tour with Smartphone: $24
  • Explore Over-the-Rhine Cruise: $358
  • Ohio River: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $36
  • The Original Findlay Market Tour: $39

Tours and Activities in Detroit

For Detroit, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2020 Preservation Detroit Saturday Eastern Market Tour: $18
  • Detroit Walking Tour Including Rides on the People Mover: $29
  • Detroit Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $30
  • Detroit Beer History Walking Tour: $39
  • Pre Mother's Day Detroit Shopping Tour: $49
  • 90 minute Segway Experience: $64

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    Detroit $20

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
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Tour: $65

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cincinnati and Detroit, we can see that Cincinnati is more expensive. And not only is Detroit much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Detroit would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Detroit 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 Detroit.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati or Detroit?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cincinnati or Detroit in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Detroit.

Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Detroit in the summer. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Detroit stays around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Detroit. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In the summer, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Detroit. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 319 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Detroit. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Detroit 74°F (24°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Detroit in the Autumn?

Both Detroit and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Cincinnati is a little warmer than Detroit. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October are around 58°F (15°C), and Detroit is about 54°F (12°C).

Cincinnati usually receives more sunshine than Detroit during autumn. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 172 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of rain as Detroit. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Detroit 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Detroit in the Winter?

Both Detroit and Cincinnati during the winter are popular places to visit.

The weather in Detroit can be very cold. Cincinnati can be very cold during winter. In January, Cincinnati is generally much warmer than Detroit. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and Detroit stays around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Detroit. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Detroit receives 120 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in January than Detroit. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Detroit 25°F (-4°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Detroit in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Detroit.

Cincinnati is a little warmer than Detroit in the spring. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 56°F (14°C) in April, and Detroit stays around 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Detroit 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 Detroit during spring. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Detroit receives 223 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Detroit. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Detroit receives 3.2 inches (80 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Detroit 49°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Detroit and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Detroit
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 25°F (-4°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 27°F (-3°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 37°F (3°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 49°F (9°C) 3.2 inches (80 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 60°F (16°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 74°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 65°F (19°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 54°F (12°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 43°F (6°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)


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Compare Hotel Prices
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The Summit Hotel From $247 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati - Mgallery From $222 Graduate Cincinnati From $127 Best Western Premier Mariemont Inn From $182 Cincinnati Marriott Northeast From $217
View Hotels in Cincinnati

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Cincinnati vs. Detroit Travel Comparison

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