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

Should you visit Dayton or Lancaster?

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

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

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.

Lancaster

The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dayton or Lancaster?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Lancaster, 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 Lancaster?

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 Lancaster in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Lancaster. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lancaster this time of year.

Dayton is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Lancaster fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lancaster. 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 Lancaster. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 310 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Lancaster. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Lancaster in the Autumn?

Both Lancaster and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lancaster for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dayton is around the same temperature as Lancaster. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Lancaster averages at about 56°F (13°C).

Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Lancaster during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dayton usually receives less rain than Lancaster. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dayton or Lancaster in the Winter?

Both Lancaster and Dayton during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lancaster in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lancaster can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dayton. In January, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Lancaster. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Lancaster fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Lancaster. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lancaster receives 153 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Lancaster. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Lancaster in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Lancaster. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lancaster for the natural beauty during these months.

Dayton is around the same temperature as Lancaster in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Lancaster fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lancaster this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Lancaster during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Lancaster receives 237 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Lancaster. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Lancaster receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lancaster and Dayton