Which place is cheaper, Sacramento or Dayton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dayton or Sacramento?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?
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.
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital city and one of the oldest cities in the state of California. It was founded in 1849 in the midst of the Gold Rush, and has since grown to a population of over 500,000 people. The atmosphere is more laid back than most major cities, and its heritage is rooted in the Gold Rush and Transcontinental Railroad era.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $323Sacramento $281
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $323, while the average daily cost in Sacramento is $281. 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 Sacramento in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Sacramento $111
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Sacramento $222
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Sacramento
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Sacramento? 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 Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Sacramento $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sacramento
Also for Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
- Sacramento Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $218
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $219
- Round Trip Private Transfer in Sacramento Airport to Calistoga: $294
- Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Mammoth Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $294
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Sacramento?
Prices for flights to both Sacramento 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 dayDayton $61Sacramento $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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historic Old Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $95
- Midtown Sacramento Arts and Food Tour: $98
- Downtown Sacramento Historical Food Tour: $98
- Midtown Sacramento Walking Food Tour: $125
- Midtown Walking Food Tour: $145
- Italian Cooking and Dance Class Experience: $160
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Sacramento $19
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 Sacramento
For Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Gold Rush & Ghosts SmartPhone App Walking Tour: $6.50
- Gold Rush and Ghosts of Sacramento Smart Phone guided (App/GPS) Walking Tour: $6.75
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Old A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Historic Folsom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Placerville to Jackson: $12
- Driving in Delta’s Wine Country: Private Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Delta's History and Wine: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Jackson to Angels Camp: $12
- A Highway 49 Drive: A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Auburn to Placerville: $12
- Sacramento Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Sacramento $12
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 Sacramento
Also in Sacramento, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sacramento Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
- Placer County Wine Tasting Pass: $19
- Wine Tasting Audio Tour - Lodi California: $35
- Cider and Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch - near Sacramento: $125
When comparing the travel costs between Dayton and Sacramento, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Sacramento Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Sacramento?
Sacramento has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?
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 Sacramento in the Summer?
Both Sacramento and Dayton during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year.
In July, Dayton is generally around the same temperature as Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 78°F (26°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Dayton. In the summer, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 439 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets more rain in July than Sacramento. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Sacramento 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Sacramento in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Sacramento. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sacramento for the shopping scene.
Dayton is cooler than Sacramento in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Sacramento fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Sacramento 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Sacramento in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Sacramento. Additionally, many visitors come to Sacramento in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Dayton. In the winter, Dayton is much colder than Sacramento. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dayton in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Sacramento averages at about 45°F (7°C).
In the winter, Dayton often gets less sunshine than Sacramento. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sacramento receives 149 hours of full sun.
Dayton usually gets less rain in January than Sacramento. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Sacramento 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Sacramento in the Spring?
Both Sacramento and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, Dayton is generally cooler than Sacramento. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 55°F (13°C), and Sacramento fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in Sacramento. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than Sacramento during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Sacramento receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than Sacramento. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Sacramento receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Sacramento 58°F (15°C)
Typical Weather for Sacramento and Dayton
| Dayton | Sacramento | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 2.6 inches (65 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.