Which place is cheaper, Milwaukee or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dayton or Milwaukee?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee?
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.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan's western shore. It's known for its breweries, many of which offer tours chronicling its role in the beer industry. Overlooking the Menomonee River, the Harley-Davidson Museum displays classic motorcycles, including one of Elvis Presley's. Nearby is the Milwaukee Public Museum, with its large-scale European Village and a recreation of old Milwaukee. In summertime, festivals let loose by the lake almost every weekend. These attractions along with stylish eating and shopping areas have turned Wisconsin's largest city into an interesting and attractive destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Milwaukee $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Milwaukee is $176. 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 Milwaukee in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Milwaukee $99
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Milwaukee $198
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Milwaukee
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Milwaukee? 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 Milwaukee Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Milwaukee $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Milwaukee
Also for Milwaukee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Milwaukee - General Mitchell Airport One Way Transfer : $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Milwaukee?
Prices for flights to both Milwaukee 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDayton $61Milwaukee $52
Typical Food Prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
-
Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)$17
-
Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Family Fun Food Tour: $80
- Local Food Tour: $97
- Milwaukee Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
- Original Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $139
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Milwaukee $26
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 Milwaukee
For Milwaukee, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Skip the Line: Museum Admission Ticket - Grohmann Museum: $5.00
- The Grand Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour through Milwaukee: $6.99
- The Grand Milwaukee Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Skip the Line: North Point Lighthouse Admission Ticket: $8.21
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Milwaukee by Operation City Quest: $10
- Geneva Lake Shore Path: Uncover 21 miles of stories on a self-guided audio tour: $10
- Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Game Ticket at American Family Field: $11
- Skip The Line: Harley-Davidson Museum Admission Ticket with Audio Guided Option: $22
- Macabre Milwaukee Walking Tour: $26
- Shakers Original Historical Ghost Tour: $27
- Brew City Ghosts: Macabre Milwaukee By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Milwaukee Private or Public Pedal Tavern Tour : $35
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Milwaukee $33
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 Milwaukee
Also in Milwaukee, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Milwaukee, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Milwaukee much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Milwaukee would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Milwaukee Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Milwaukee?
Milwaukee has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee?
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 Milwaukee in the Summer?
Both Milwaukee and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Milwaukee for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 78°F (26°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In Milwaukee, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the summer, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Milwaukee. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 321 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Milwaukee. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Milwaukee 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Milwaukee in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Milwaukee. Also, many visitors come to Milwaukee in the autumn for the shopping scene.
Dayton is a little warmer than Milwaukee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Milwaukee fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).
Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Milwaukee during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 174 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Milwaukee 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Milwaukee in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Milwaukee. Also, most visitors come to Milwaukee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Milwaukee can be very cold during winter. Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dayton is much warmer than Milwaukee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dayton in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Milwaukee averages at about 21°F (-6°C).
In the winter, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Milwaukee. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Milwaukee receives 138 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in January than Milwaukee. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Milwaukee 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Milwaukee in the Spring?
Both Milwaukee and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Dayton is generally much warmer than Milwaukee. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 55°F (13°C), and Milwaukee fluctuates around 47°F (8°C).
It's quite sunny in Milwaukee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Milwaukee during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Milwaukee receives 211 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Milwaukee. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Milwaukee receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Milwaukee 47°F (8°C)
Typical Weather for Milwaukee and Dayton
| Dayton | Milwaukee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 26°F (-4°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.7 inches (44 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.