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

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Should you visit Cincinnati or San Diego?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Diego? 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego

For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.

Which city is cheaper, San Diego or Cincinnati?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $161. 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 San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $82
    San Diego $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $164
    San Diego $182
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or San Diego? 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 San Diego


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 San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $20
    San Diego $19

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 San Diego

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

  • Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego City by Business Car: $71
  • Arrival Private Transfer San Diego Airport SAN to San Diego by Executive SUV: $85
  • Arrival and Departure Transfer: Hotel to and from San Diego International Airport: $70
  • Departure Private Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $63
  • Private Airport Transfer San Deigo Arrival And Departure: $67
  • Private Airport Transfer: Hotel to and from San Diego International Airport: $70
  • Private Airport Transfer: San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Diego: $46
  • Private Airport Transfer: from San Diego to San Diego Int. Airport (SAN): $35
  • Private Arrival Transfer from SAN San Diego Airport to San Diego City: $49
  • Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer from San Diego to SAN San Diego Airport: $46
  • Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $44
    San Diego $36

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

Typical Food prices in San Diego

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

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

  • San Diego North Park Food Tour: $49
  • Liberty Station Food Tour: $49
  • Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico: $89
  • Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego: $96
  • Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef: $100
  • San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego: $129
  • Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option: $277

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $21
    San Diego $38

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

Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.

  • La Jolla: Explore California's Riviera on a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
  • La Jolla: Ultimate Self-Guided Combo Tour: $12
  • San Diego Zoo Hunt: Roar with Rex Adventure at the San Diego Zoo: $12
  • San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Tour: $16
  • San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • San Diego Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour: $23
  • San Diego Gaslamp District Ghost Tour: $24
  • Ghost-Themed Walking Tour: $25
  • Skip-the-Line: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket: $26
  • San Diego Harbor Cruise: $28
  • Tijuana Walking Tour from San Diego: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $9.11
    San Diego $17

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

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

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

  • San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting: $15
  • San Diego Brewery Tour: $85
  • San Diego Micro Brewery Tour: $91
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $95
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $101
  • Private San Diego Brewery Tour: $107
  • All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck: $189
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.: $249
  • Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego: $475

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Cincinnati and San Diego, we can see that San Diego is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati or San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

Both San Diego and Cincinnati during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to San Diego because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cincinnati is a little warmer than San Diego in the summer. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and San Diego stays around 71°F (22°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cincinnati. In the summer, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    San Diego 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and San Diego. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the autumn, Cincinnati is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October are around 58°F (15°C), and San Diego is about 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than San Diego. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    San Diego 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Diego in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as San Diego. Also, many travelers come to San Diego for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Cincinnati in the winter. In January, Cincinnati is generally much colder than San Diego. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and San Diego stays around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. In the winter, Cincinnati often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    San Diego 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Diego in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Cincinnati is cooler than San Diego in the spring. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 56°F (14°C) in April, and San Diego stays around 62°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than San Diego. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    San Diego 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for San Diego and Cincinnati

Cincinnati San Diego
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (46 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)


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Cincinnati vs. San Diego Travel Comparison

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