Which place is cheaper, Colorado Springs or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Colorado Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs?
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.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is the second largest city in the state of Colorado. It is located in the northeastern tip of the south central region of the state and is in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains and alpine trees. It is also referred to as "America's Olympic City" because it is the location of the United States Olympic Training Center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Colorado Springs $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Colorado Springs is $165. 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 Colorado Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Colorado Springs $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Colorado Springs $162
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Colorado Springs
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Colorado Springs? 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 Colorado Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Colorado Springs $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
- Daytona Beach: One Way Airport Transfer Service: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colorado Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Colorado Springs:
- Winter Park Ski Resort to Denver Airport BJC Departure Transfer: $96
- Snowmass/Aspen to Eagle County Reg. Airport - Departure Transfer: $136
- Winter Park to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $136
- Keystone resort to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Colorado Springs COS to Pagosa Springs - Round-Trip Transfer: $181
- Denver Airport BJC to Winter Park Ski Resort Round Trip Transfer: $192
- Rocky Mountain Metropolitan (BJC) to Steamboat-Arrival Transfer: $237
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Colorado Springs?
Prices for flights to both Colorado Springs 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 $61Colorado Springs $55
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 Colorado Springs
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Colorado Springs:
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Cold Stone Ice Cream (family of 4)$22
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Snacks at the Zoo (family of 4)$18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colorado Springs
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Colorado Springs.
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show - Colorado Springs, CO: $86
- Classic 3-Hour Food Tour in Colorado Springs: $88
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Colorado Springs $40
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: 2 Hour Dolphin & Manatee Discovery Cruise: $79
Tours and Activities in Colorado Springs
Here are a few actual costs in Colorado Springs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Colorado Springs by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Loveland CO: $15
- Garden of the Gods Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Self Guided Driving and Walking Tour in Garden of the Gods : $20
- Colorado: A Scenic Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle: $25
- Guided Ghost Story and History Tour: $28
- Colorado Springs - Guided Walking Ghost / History Tour: $28
- Puzzling Adventures Loveland: $35
- Fort Collins Military Years Tour: $40
- Astronomy Tour: $45
- Colorado Springs Small Group Historic Walking Tour: $54
- 2-Hour Mineral Belt Guided E-Bike Tour in Leadville: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Colorado Springs $24
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 Colorado Springs
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Colorado Springs:
- Downtown Colorado Springs 2.5-Hour Brewery Tour: $68
- Driving Brewery Tour of Colorado Springs: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Colorado Springs, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Colorado Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Colorado Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Colorado Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Colorado Springs. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Colorado Springs because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dayton is a little warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 71°F (22°C).
In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Colorado Springs 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Colorado Springs in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Colorado Springs. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Colorado Springs this time of year.
In October, Dayton is generally much warmer than Colorado Springs. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Dayton usually gets more rain in October than Colorado Springs. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Colorado Springs 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Colorado Springs in the Winter?
Both Colorado Springs and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Colorado Springs for the skiing, the museums, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Colorado Springs. It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. Dayton is much warmer than Colorado Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Colorado Springs fluctuates around 26°F (-3°C).
In January, Dayton usually receives more rain than Colorado Springs. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 0.3 inches (8 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Colorado Springs 26°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Colorado Springs in the Spring?
Both Colorado Springs and Dayton during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Colorado Springs in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Dayton is much warmer than Colorado Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Colorado Springs averages at about 45°F (7°C).
Dayton usually gets more rain in April than Colorado Springs. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Colorado Springs receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Colorado Springs 45°F (7°C)
Typical Weather for Colorado Springs and Dayton
| Dayton | Colorado Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 inches (8 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.3 inches (8 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.