Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Phoenix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
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 $323Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Phoenix $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer From Hotels To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport PHX : $41
- Private Tesla Transfer from Phoenix Airport to all Hotels : $42
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $90
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $103
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $103
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $103
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $103
- One-Way Transfer Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix: $104
- Departure Private Transfer Phoenix City to Phoenix Airport PHX : $110
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Arrival Private Transfer Phoenix Airport PHX to Phoenix City : $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $61Phoenix $52
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 Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Phoenix $40
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 Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Entry Ticket: $17
- SEA LIFE Aquarium Arizona Admission Ticket: $19
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Mesa by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Phoenix Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Private Blackout Motel Escape Room Experience in Avondale: $24
- The Scottsdale Selfie Experience: $25
- Ghosts & Poltergeists Guided Haunted Walking Tour: $26
- Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Game Ticket: $35
- Phoenix Zoo Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix Zoo: One Day General Admission Ticket: $38
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour : $39
- Phoenix History, Mystery and Ghost Hunting Tour: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Phoenix $17
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 Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $156
- Ghost town of Jerome, Brew and Wine Tour: $215
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Phoenix, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Phoenix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Phoenix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Phoenix 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 Phoenix.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Phoenix?
Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Phoenix. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Dayton is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the summer, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Phoenix in the Autumn?
Both Phoenix and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Dayton is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Phoenix in the Winter?
Both Phoenix and Dayton during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dayton is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Phoenix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Phoenix.
Dayton is much colder than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Dayton
| Dayton | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 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.