Which place is cheaper, Pittsburgh or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Pittsburgh?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh?
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.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a city in western Pennsylvania at the junction of 3 rivers. Set between the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers, and a mountain ridge called Mt Washington, Pittsburgh has a unique character that is evident from the moment you arrive. Juxtaposed with the rumbling freight trains and the iconic bridges are the Bladerunner-esque self-driving Uber vehicles, scanning the roads with spinning Lidar scanners. Its Gilded Age sites, including the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, the Carnegie Museum of Art, and the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, speak to its history as an early-20th-century industrial capital. In the North Shore neighborhood are the modern Andy Warhol Museum, Heinz Field football stadium, and PNC Park baseball stadium. Experiencing periods of boom and bust since its founding, the city is in a boom now, and it's a fun place to visit, with top-notch museums, great gardens and parks, and amazing food.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Pittsburgh $181
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Pittsburgh is $181. 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 Pittsburgh in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Pittsburgh $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Pittsburgh $212
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Pittsburgh
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Pittsburgh? 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 Pittsburgh Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Pittsburgh $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
- Daytona Beach: One Way Airport Transfer Service: $82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pittsburgh
Also for Pittsburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $50
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Pittsburgh?
Prices for flights to both Pittsburgh 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 $61Pittsburgh $54
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 Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Pittsburgh's Strip District Food Tour: $90
- Strip District Food Tour: $90
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Pittsburgh $38
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: 2 Hour Coastal Discovery Boat Cruise: $79
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
- Daytona Beach: Private Tubing Experience on the River: $75
- Dizzy Daytona Beach Amazing Race & Tour: $24
Tours and Activities in Pittsburgh
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pittsburgh.
- Eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $6.22
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pittsburgh by Crazy Dash: $10
- Pittsburg Prowl Amazing Race & Tour: $24
- Sinister Shadows of Steel City Ghost Tour: $24
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Pittsburgh: $25
- Smartphone-Guided Tour of Downtown Pittsburgh Sights & Stories: $28
- Public Art Walking Tour: $30
- Pittsburgh Ghosts Steel City Haunted Tour: $30
- Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Game Ticket: $30
- Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Game Ticket at PNC Park: $31
- Pittsburgh Steps Tour: $33
- Evening Ghost Tour: $33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Pittsburgh $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 Pittsburgh
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pittsburgh:
- Pittsburgh Bar Hunt: Party Through Pittsburgh Bar Crawl: $13
- Wigle Whiskey Rebellion Distillery Tour: $22
- Beers in the Burgh: Pittsburgh Brewery Walk: $50
- Bike and Brewery Tour: $89
- Pittsburgh Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Pittsburgh, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Pittsburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pittsburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Pittsburgh Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Pittsburgh, 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.
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.