Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
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 $323Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Philadelphia $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Philadelphia City to New York City - Private Car Transfer: $188
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $352
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $61Philadelphia $49
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
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $52
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $58
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $69
- Secret Food Tour: $83
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Philadelphia $28
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $8.99
- Road to Revolution GPS Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Philadelphia In App Walking Audio Tour: $9.00
- Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $12
- National Liberty Museum Entrance Ticket: $12
- Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Fantastic Philadelphia Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Penn Museum Admission Ticket: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Philadelphia $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 Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Philadelphia, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Philadelphia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Philadelphia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In July, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 78°F (26°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the summer, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Philadelphia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dayton usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Philadelphia. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Dayton is around the same temperature as Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Philadelphia. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dayton. In the winter, Dayton is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dayton in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
In the winter, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Philadelphia. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia 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)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Philadelphia in the Spring?
Both Philadelphia and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Dayton is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 55°F (13°C), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Dayton
| Dayton | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.