Which place is cheaper, Portland or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Dayton or Portland?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Portland, 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 Portland?
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.
Portland
Referred to as "The City of Roses", Portland is the largest city in Oregon. It sits on the banks of the Columbia River and offers breathtaking views of Mount Hood when the weather allows. Portland is famous for its alternative vibe, live music scene, and popular microbreweries. It's also a mecca for environmentally conscious urban planning. The downtown area is quite compact and walkable. While the city itself may be smaller than you expect, it is still the largest metropolitan area between San Francisco and Seattle.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Portland $180
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Portland is $180. 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 Portland in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Portland $97
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Portland $194
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Portland
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Portland? 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 Portland Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Portland $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland
Also for Portland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waterfall Express -PDX: Waterfall Trolley Tickets + Transfer: $60
- Portland downtown to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Tigard hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Tigard hotel or address to Portland Airport (PDX) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Private Transfer from Portland City Hotels to Astoria Cruise Port: $87
- Private Transfer from Portland Airport (PDX) to Astoria Port: $87
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Portland downtown - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
- Portland International Airport - Private transfer from/to Oregon City: $127
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Lake Oswego - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $141
- Arrival Private Transfer Portland Airport PDX to Portland City: $148
- Portland Airport (PDX) to Beaverton hotel - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Portland?
Prices for flights to both Portland 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 $61Portland $43
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 Portland
For Portland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Afternoon Drinks (for 2)$9.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Portland
For Portland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Portland Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Walking Pizza Tour: $75
- Secret Food Tour with Local Guide: $93
- Brunch on Mississippi Food Tour: $95
- Downtown Food Tour: $102
- The Vibrant Kerns Hood Food Tour: $105
- The Bustling Buckman Hood Food Tour: $105
- Portland Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $109
- Mississippi Avenue Walking Food Tour: $110
- All-Inclusive Downtown Portland Food Tour: $119
- All-Inclusive Walking Food Tour: $119
- 2.5-hour Dinner Cruise on Willamette River: $127
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Portland $24
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 Portland
For Portland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self Guided Solo "Weird and Wonderful Portland" Walking Tour in Old Town : $6.50
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Portland, Maine: Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Smartphone Audio Guide: $10
- Downtown Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
- Waterfront Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland (Along the Waterfront) Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Portland Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Portland: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Portland $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 Portland
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Portland:
- Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $40
- Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings: $40
- Weird Bar Crawl with Fanatical Local: $59
- Guided Bike Tour with Brewery Visits: $65
- Portland, Maine: Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Portland, Maine: Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
- Afternoon Tour in Columbia Gorge Waterfall with Free Wine Tasting: $111
- Waterfalls, Mt Hood, and Wine Tour (Tasting Fees Included): $135
- Silver Falls Hike and Wine Tour: $179
- Willamette Valley Wine Tasting from Portland: $189
- From Willamette Valley Full-Day Wine Tour: $210
- Willamette Valley Wine Tour - Full Day Tour: $225
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Portland, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Portland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Portland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Portland 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 Portland.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Portland Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Portland?
Portland has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Portland, 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 Portland?
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 Portland in the Summer?
Both Portland and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dayton is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Portland averages at about 68°F (20°C).
In Portland, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the summer, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Portland. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Portland 68°F (20°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Portland in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Portland. Furthermore, many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Dayton is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Portland fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Dayton usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Portland. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Portland 55°F (13°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Portland in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Portland. Additionally, most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Portland can be very cold during winter. Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. Dayton is much colder than Portland in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Portland fluctuates around 40°F (4°C).
In the winter, Dayton often gets more sunshine than Portland. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Portland. Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Portland 40°F (4°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Portland in the Spring?
Both Portland and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Portland because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Dayton is a little warmer than Portland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Portland averages at about 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Portland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Portland during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Portland. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Portland 51°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Portland and Dayton
| Dayton | Portland | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 40°F (4°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 1 inches (25 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 inches (44 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 5.4 inches (136 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 40°F (5°C) | 6.1 inches (156 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.