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

Should you visit Dayton or Pasadena?

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

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

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.

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Pasadena or Dayton?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $62. 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 Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dayton $250
    Pasadena $25
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dayton $500
    Pasadena $50
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Pasadena? 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.

Hotels in Dayton


Hotels in Pasadena


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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dayton $25
    Pasadena $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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 day
    Dayton $61
    Pasadena $19
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

Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dayton -
    Pasadena -

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 Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Haunted Walking Tour: $33
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49
  • Cozumel: ATVs Jungle Experience + Beach Club All Inclusive: $79
  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dayton -
    Pasadena -

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Pasadena, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.

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


Which is Bigger, Dayton or Pasadena?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Pasadena, 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 Pasadena?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dayton or Pasadena in the Summer?

Both Pasadena and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Pasadena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Dayton is a little warmer than Pasadena in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Pasadena fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dayton 78°F (26°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pasadena in the Autumn?

Both Pasadena and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Pasadena for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Dayton is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Pasadena averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Dayton usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dayton 57°F (14°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pasadena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Pasadena. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Pasadena 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 Pasadena. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Pasadena fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Dayton usually receives less rain than Pasadena. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pasadena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Pasadena.

Dayton is cooler than Pasadena in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Pasadena fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

Dayton usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dayton 55°F (13°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Dayton

Dayton Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)