Which place is cheaper, Monterey or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Monterey, 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 Monterey?
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.
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
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 $323Monterey $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Monterey is $170. 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 Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Monterey? 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 Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Monterey $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey 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 $61Monterey $56
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Monterey
For Monterey, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Guided Walking Food Tour with Tastings: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Monterey $27
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 Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- San Fran Pacific Coast Self-Driving Tour App: $7.30
- Self-Guided John Steinbeck Walking Tour with Audio: $7.99
- Monterey Peninsula Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- 17-Mile Drive Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Scenic 17-Mile Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- California: Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
- Monterey Fisherman's Wharf & Presidio Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey Cannery Row: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $49
- Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour: $60
- Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $65
- Cannery Row Kayak Tour: $65
- Whale Watching Cruise: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Monterey $21
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 Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Monterey, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Monterey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Monterey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monterey 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 Monterey.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Monterey?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Monterey. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Monterey, 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 Monterey?
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 Monterey in the Summer?
Both Monterey and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Monterey in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Dayton is a little warmer than Monterey in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Monterey fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Dayton usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Monterey in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Monterey. Furthermore, most visitors come to Monterey for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Dayton is cooler than Monterey. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Monterey averages at about 62°F (17°C).
In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Monterey. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Monterey in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Monterey. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Monterey because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Dayton can be very cold during winter. In January, Dayton is generally much colder than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Monterey. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Monterey in the Spring?
Both Monterey and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
Dayton is around the same temperature as Monterey in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Monterey fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Monterey. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and Dayton
| Dayton | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 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.