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

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Should you visit Dayton or San Diego?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or San Diego, 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego

For many visitors and locals alike, San Diego is a paradise. Located in southern California, not far from Los Angeles, it has the perfect climate, wonderful beaches, and a culturally rich environment. It's surrounded by beautiful landscape and has a strong focus on wildlife conservation and eco-friendly living. Home to about 1.3 million residents, it is California's second largest city. It also has many universities, a large tech industry, and a thriving economy. Despite its size, many people perceive San Diego as a slower, more relaxed city with a pleasant vibe away from the chaos of a large city.

Which city is cheaper, San Diego or Dayton?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $259, while the average daily cost in San Diego is $161. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Dayton and San Diego in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dayton $200
    San Diego $91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dayton $400
    San Diego $182
Compare Hotels in Dayton and San Diego

Looking for a hotel in Dayton or San Diego? 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 San Diego


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 San Diego Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dayton $20
    San Diego $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:

  • James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $266
  • James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Departure Private Transfer: $133
  • James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Arrival Private Transfer: $133

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Diego

Also for San Diego, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport Transfer: from San Diego to San Diego Int. Airport (SAN): $35
  • Private Departure Transfer from San Diego to SAN San Diego Airport: $46
  • Private Airport Transfer: San Diego International Airport (SAN) to San Diego: $46
  • Private Arrival Transfer from San Diego Airport SAN: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer to San Diego Airport SAN: $48
  • Private Arrival Transfer from SAN San Diego Airport to San Diego City: $49
  • San Diego Airport (SAN) to San Diego hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
  • San Diego hotel/address to San Diego Airport (SAN) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
  • Transfer from San Diego International Airport to San Diego: $62
  • Departure Private Transfer San Diego to San Diego Airport SAN in Business Car: $63
  • Private Airport Transfer San Deigo Arrival And Departure: $67
  • Private Airport Transfer: Hotel to and from San Diego International Airport: $70

Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or San Diego?

Prices for flights to both San Diego 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 $49
    San Diego $36
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

Typical Food prices in San Diego

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to San Diego:


  • Mexican Lunch for Two
    $27
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • San Diego North Park Food Tour: $49
  • Liberty Station Food Tour: $49
  • Market and Guacamole Cooking Class in Tijuana Mexico: $89
  • Private Cooking Demonstration of Indian Fusion Cuisine in San Diego: $96
  • Farmers Market Tour & Social Cooking With A Chef: $100
  • San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours San Diego: $129
  • Secret Food Tours San Diego w/ Private Tour Option: $277

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Dayton -
    San Diego $38

Tours and Activities in Dayton

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

  • Daytona Beach: Daytona 500 NASCAR Race Ticket: $249

Typical Entertainment prices in San Diego

For San Diego, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • San Diego Zoo
    $15
  • Sea World Parking
    $12

Tours and Activities in San Diego

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Diego.

  • La Jolla: Explore California's Riviera on a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
  • La Jolla: Ultimate Self-Guided Combo Tour: $12
  • San Diego Zoo Hunt: Roar with Rex Adventure at the San Diego Zoo: $12
  • San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter Historic True Crime Tour: $16
  • San Diego Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • San Diego Balboa Park Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Behind-the-Scenes at Petco Park Tour: $23
  • San Diego Gaslamp District Ghost Tour: $24
  • Ghost-Themed Walking Tour: $25
  • Skip-the-Line: USS Midway Museum Entry Ticket: $26
  • San Diego Harbor Cruise: $28
  • Tijuana Walking Tour from San Diego: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Dayton -
    San Diego $17

Sample the Local Flavors in San Diego

Also in San Diego, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • San Diego Bar Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $12
  • Wine Tasting Or Beer Tasting: $15
  • San Diego Brewery Tour: $85
  • San Diego Micro Brewery Tour: $91
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $95
  • The San Diego Downtown Craft Brewery Tour: $101
  • Private San Diego Brewery Tour: $107
  • All inclusive brewery tour-Fire Truck: $189
  • Luxury Private Wine Tasting Tour to Guadalupe Valley from San Diego.: $249
  • Private Wine Tour of Temecula from San Diego: $475

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and San Diego, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is San Diego much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Diego would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Diego 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 San Diego.


When is the best time to visit Dayton or San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Dayton as well as San Diego. Additionally, many visitors come to San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Dayton is generally a little warmer than San Diego. Temperatures in Dayton average around 78°F (26°C), and San Diego stays around 71°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In the summer, Dayton often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Diego. Dayton gets 298 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets more rain in July than San Diego. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dayton 78°F (26°C) 
    San Diego 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Diego in the Autumn?

Both San Diego and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Dayton is cooler than San Diego in the autumn. The temperature in Dayton is usually 57°F (14°C) in October, and San Diego stays around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during autumn. Dayton gets 188 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dayton usually receives more rain than San Diego. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dayton 57°F (14°C) 
    San Diego 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego and Dayton during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Dayton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Dayton is much colder than San Diego. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dayton in January are around 30°F (-1°C), and San Diego is about 57°F (14°C).

In San Diego, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Dayton often gets less sunshine than San Diego. Dayton gets 129 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun.

Dayton usually gets more rain in January than San Diego. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C) 
    San Diego 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Dayton or San Diego in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and San Diego. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In April, Dayton is generally cooler than San Diego. Temperatures in Dayton average around 55°F (13°C), and San Diego stays around 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego this time of the year. In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dayton usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during spring. Dayton gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dayton usually receives more rain than San Diego. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dayton 55°F (13°C) 
    San Diego 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for San Diego and Dayton

Dayton San Diego
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.8 inches (46 mm)
Feb 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Mar 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 59°F (15°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Apr 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm) 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 67°F (19°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 71°F (22°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Oct 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Nov 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (37 mm)
Dec 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 57°F (14°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm)


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Dayton vs. San Diego Travel Comparison

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