Which place is cheaper, Denver or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Denver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Denver, 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 Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Denver $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Denver is $218. 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 Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Denver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Denver? 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 Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Denver $101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Arrival Transfer - Denver International Airport (DEN) : $40
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver International Airport (DEN) to Downtown: $72
- Transfer in private minivan from Denver International Airport(DEN) to Downtown: $86
- Transfer in private minivan from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN): $86
- Denver Airport BJC to Winter Park Ski Resort Arrival Transfer: $93
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Denver hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $107
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $107
- Private One-way Denver Airport Transfer To/From Denver: $113
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Glenwood Springs - Arrival Transfer: $120
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Glenwood Springs - Round-Trip Transfer: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver 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 $61Denver $42
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 Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Denver $52
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Denver's Art District Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Discover A Walking Tour of Denver's Top Sights: $5.00
- Denver's Spokes and Scoops: A Self-Guided Cycle Tour: $5.20
- Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $14
- Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $16
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Denver $5.31
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 Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Through Denver RiNo Arts District : $25
- 4-Hour Downtown Denver Pub Crawl: $25
- Denver Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
- Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden: $65
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Denver, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Denver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Denver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Denver 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 Denver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Denver?
Denver has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Denver, 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.
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.