Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Chicago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Dayton or Chicago?
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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Dayton and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Chicago? 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Chicago $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
- Daytona Beach: One Way Airport Transfer Service: $82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Airports ORD Or MDW: $46
- Chicago O´Hare International Airport Private Transfer One-Way: $46
- Chicago City to Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $58
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $59
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago Airport (ORD): $61
- Private Transfer from Chicago Airport (ORD) - Chicago City: $61
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Dayton 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 dayDayton $61Chicago $49
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
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago: $59
- Bucktown Pizza Crawl in Chicago: $59
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Chicago's Wicker Park Food Tour: $89
- Chicago Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
- Secret Food Tour: $91
- River North Walking Food Tour: $99
- Gourmet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise: $111
- Chicago Buffet Dinner Cruise on Lake Michigan: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Dizzy Daytona Beach Amazing Race & Tour: $24
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: Private Tubing Experience on the River: $75
- Daytona Beach: Dolphin & Manatee Discovery Cruise: $79
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Chicago Quest Experience: The Heist: $7.23
- Chicago Lincoln Square Quest Experience: $7.24
- Chicago Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.24
- The Loop, River North and Chicago’s Theater District: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Skip the Line: American Writers Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Michigan Avenue Rendezvous Mobile App Self-Guided Walking Tour: $16
- Michigan Avenue Rendezvous Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $16
- History Museum Admission Ticket: $19
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Chicago with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Lincoln Park Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour: $21
- Navy Pier Centennial Wheel Ticket: $21
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Chicago $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: $38
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Chicago Haunted Pub Crawl: Water Tower Specter and Beyond: $23
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Malt Row: $25
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Logan Square: $25
- Oktoberfest Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $25
- Oktoberfest Walking Brewery Tour in Logan Square: $25
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Milwaukee Harley-Davidson Museum & Brewery Day Tour: $125
When comparing the travel costs between Dayton and Chicago, 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 Dayton Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Chicago, 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 Dayton or Chicago?
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 Dayton or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Chicago. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dayton is around the same temperature as Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dayton usually receives less rain than Chicago. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Chicago. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In the autumn, Dayton is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Chicago. It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. In January, Dayton is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during winter. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Dayton usually receives more rain than Chicago. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Dayton during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Dayton is a little warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the spring, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dayton usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Dayton
| Dayton | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 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.