Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Clearwater?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Clearwater or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Clearwater and Dayton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Clearwater or Dayton?
Clearwater
Clearwater is a city in Florida's Tampa Bay area known for its sunny weather and gulf coast beaches. Its most famous beach (Clearwater Beach) is located on a barrier island with white sands and crystal waters - a perfect setting for activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, jet skiing, dolphin and sunset tours, parasailing, and more.
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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.
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Clearwater Prices
USA PricesDayton Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayClearwater $343Dayton $368
The average daily cost (per person) in Clearwater is $343, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 Clearwater and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personClearwater $141Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomClearwater $282Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Clearwater and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Clearwater 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: Clearwater Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Clearwater $221Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Clearwater
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Clearwater:
- Private Transfer from St Petersburg Clearwater Airport to St Pete Beach: $74
- Private Transfer from Clearwater to Tampa Airport: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Clearwater or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Clearwater 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 dayClearwater $79Dayton $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Clearwater
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Clearwater.
- Clearwater Beach Fun and Tropical Food Tour: $89
- Taste of Downtown St Petersburg-A Walking/Food Tour: $115
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.Clearwater -Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Clearwater
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Clearwater are as follows:
- Happy Hour Cruise: $25
- Dolphin Watching Intercoastal Cruise: $25
- Daytime Yacht Sightseeing Cruise with Optional Dining : $27
- Clearwater Daytime Yacht Sightseeing Cruise with Optional Dining : $27
- Clearwater; Aspirations Winery Tour and Tasting Experience: $27
- Clearwater Beach: Dolphin & Island Sandbar Cruise: $28
- Mega Bite Dolphin Tour Boat in Clearwater Beach: $28
- Clearwater Beach: Dolphins and Donuts Morning Cruise: $28
- Clearwater Beach: Sunset and Harbor Lights Cruise: $28
- Dolphin-Watching Sunset Cruise: $29
- Dolphin Quest - Sightseeing/Eco Cruise, John's Pass, Madeira Beach, FL : $29
- St. Pete Beach Dolphin Racer Adventure: $30
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
- Daytona Beach: The Great Daytona Wine Bar Tour: $50
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: E-Bike Tour on the World's Most Famous Beach: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayClearwater -Dayton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Clearwater
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Clearwater:
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery: $25
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: $50
When comparing the travel costs between Clearwater and Dayton, we can see that Dayton 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Clearwater Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Dayton?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater 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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater or Dayton in the Summer?
Both Dayton and Clearwater are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Clearwater is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 82°F (28°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Clearwater. In July, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Dayton. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 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 JulyClearwater 82°F (28°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Clearwater or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Clearwater during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Clearwater for the shopping scene during these months.
Clearwater is much warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the autumn, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Clearwater usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dayton. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberClearwater 75°F (24°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Clearwater or Dayton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Dayton. The winter months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. In the winter, Clearwater is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Clearwater in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Clearwater usually receives more rain than Dayton. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 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 JanuaryClearwater 60°F (15°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Clearwater or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Dayton. The beaches are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year.
In April, Clearwater is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 71°F (22°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the spring, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
Clearwater usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilClearwater 71°F (22°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Clearwater
| Clearwater | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.