A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dayton vs. Columbia River Gorge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dayton or Columbia River Gorge?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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.

Columbia River Gorge

Columbia River Gorge is a popular destination in the Cascade Mountains in the Pacific Northwest. The region's close proximity to Portland, which is just 30 minutes away, makes it a popular weekend destination.

The gorge is formed by the Columbia River, with an 80 mile stretch designated as a National Scenic Area. The area has many beautiful cliffs with a number of tall waterfalls and its protected status means that most new development must occur within one of the already established towns.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Columbia River Gorge Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dayton or Columbia River Gorge?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Columbia River Gorge. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Columbia River Gorge, 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 Columbia River Gorge?

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 Columbia River Gorge in the Summer?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbia River Gorge this time of year.

In the summer, Dayton is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia River Gorge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 338 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dayton or Columbia River Gorge in the Autumn?

Both Columbia River Gorge and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Columbia River Gorge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dayton is generally a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 155 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Columbia River Gorge in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Columbia River Gorge. Furthermore, many visitors come to Columbia River Gorge in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Columbia River Gorge can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dayton. Dayton is much colder than Columbia River Gorge in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Columbia River Gorge fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).

Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Columbia River Gorge during winter. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia River Gorge receives 86 hours of full sun in the winter.

Columbia River Gorge receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Dayton usually receives less rain than Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dayton or Columbia River Gorge in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Columbia River Gorge. Additionally, most visitors come to Columbia River Gorge for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Dayton is a little warmer than Columbia River Gorge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Columbia River Gorge averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia River Gorge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the spring, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia River Gorge receives 231 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets more rain in April than Columbia River Gorge. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Columbia River Gorge receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Columbia River Gorge and Dayton