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

Should you visit Dayton or Pocono Mountains?

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

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

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.

Pocono Mountains

The Poconos are a region of mountains, small towns, and natural areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Located just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this region of 4 counties (Wayne, Pike, Monroe, & Carbon) consists of plenty of mountain scenery, gorgeous lakes, historic small towns, ski resorts, state parks, water parks, and more.

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, Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains is $174. 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 Pocono Mountains in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dayton $250
    Pocono Mountains $89
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dayton $500
    Pocono Mountains $178
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Pocono Mountains

Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Pocono Mountains? 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 Pocono Mountains


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dayton $25
    Pocono Mountains $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Pocono Mountains?

Prices for flights to both Pocono Mountains 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
    Pocono Mountains $53
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dayton -
    Pocono Mountains $30

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 Pocono Mountains

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

  • Private Mount Pocono Observation Air Tour: $64
  • Delaware Water Gap Air Tour: $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dayton -
    Pocono Mountains $13

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 Pocono Mountains, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Pocono Mountains much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pocono Mountains would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains.

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


Which is Bigger, Dayton or Pocono Mountains?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Pocono Mountains. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Pocono Mountains, 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 Pocono Mountains?

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 Pocono Mountains in the Summer?

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

In July, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Pocono Mountains. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 78°F (26°C), and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Pocono Mountains. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pocono Mountains during summer. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. In July, Dayton usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dayton 78°F (26°C) 
    Pocono Mountains 75°F (24°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pocono Mountains in the Autumn?

Both Pocono Mountains and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Pocono Mountains in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Dayton is a little warmer than Pocono Mountains in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In the autumn, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 168 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets less rain in October than Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dayton 57°F (14°C) 
    Pocono Mountains 55°F (13°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pocono Mountains in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Pocono Mountains. Also, most visitors come to Pocono Mountains for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Pocono Mountains can be very cold during winter. Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Dayton is much warmer than Pocono Mountains. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dayton in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Pocono Mountains averages at about 28°F (-2°C).

Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pocono Mountains during winter. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dayton usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C) 
    Pocono Mountains 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Dayton or Pocono Mountains in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Pocono Mountains. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the natural beauty.

In April, Dayton is generally a little warmer than Pocono Mountains. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 55°F (13°C), and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the spring, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 213 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets less rain in April than Pocono Mountains. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dayton 55°F (13°C) 
    Pocono Mountains 51°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Pocono Mountains and Dayton

Dayton Pocono Mountains
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 28°F (-2°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Mar 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 41°F (5°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Apr 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 51°F (11°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 62°F (17°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 71°F (22°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 75°F (24°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 66°F (19°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 55°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 33°F (1°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)