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

Should you visit Dayton or Gatlinburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

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.

Gatlinburg

Located in eastern Tennessee, Gatlinburg is a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for many it is a destination in and of itself. It's anything but natural, and most of its entertainment is centered around amusement park rides and gimmicky sights. You'll find no shortage of cheap hotels and restaurant options, many of which are the typical chains you would find in most tourist towns. It is a convenient town to pick up any necessities you may have forgotten before your visit to the nearby national park.

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 Gatlinburg, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Gatlinburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gatlinburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Dayton or Gatlinburg?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Gatlinburg. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Gatlinburg, 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 Gatlinburg?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dayton or Gatlinburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Gatlinburg. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Gatlinburg because of the hiking.

In the summer, Dayton is around the same temperature as Gatlinburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Gatlinburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the summer, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 294 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Gatlinburg. Dayton usually gets less rain in July than Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Gatlinburg in the Autumn?

Both Gatlinburg and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Gatlinburg this time of year.

In October, Dayton is generally cooler than Gatlinburg. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Gatlinburg. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Gatlinburg during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dayton or Gatlinburg in the Winter?

Both Gatlinburg and Dayton during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Gatlinburg for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Gatlinburg. It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. Dayton is much colder than Gatlinburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Gatlinburg fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gatlinburg receives 134 hours of full sun.

Gatlinburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 4.7 inches (119 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Gatlinburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Gatlinburg.

In the spring, Dayton is cooler than Gatlinburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Gatlinburg averages at about 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gatlinburg this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Gatlinburg during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Gatlinburg receives 263 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gatlinburg. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Gatlinburg receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Gatlinburg and Dayton