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

Should you visit Duck or Dayton?

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

Should I visit Duck or Dayton? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Duck or Dayton?

Duck

Duck is a resort town in Dare County, North Carolina. The town is quite small, with a year around population of just 369, but during the peak summer months the tourist crowds can climb to over 20,000. Duck is also the northernmost incorporated town in the county, and also the newest town in the Outer Banks, having been incorporated on May 1st, 2002.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Duck?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Duck is $188, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $323. 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 Duck and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Duck $107
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Duck $214
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Duck and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Duck or Dayton? 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 Duck


Hotels in Dayton


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.
    Duck $66
    Dayton $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Duck or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and Duck 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
    Duck $45
    Dayton $61

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.
    Duck $13
    Dayton -

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Duck $45
    Dayton -

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

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


Which is Bigger, Duck or Dayton?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 280 times larger than the population of Duck. When comparing the sizes of Duck and Dayton, 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 Duck or Dayton?

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 Duck or Dayton in the Summer?

Both Dayton and Duck are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Duck for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck. Duck usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during summer. Duck gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Duck. In July, Duck usually receives more rain than Dayton. Duck gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Duck 78°F (26°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Duck or Dayton in the Autumn?

Both Dayton and Duck during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Duck in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Duck is a little warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Duck averages around 62°F (16°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck. In the autumn, Duck often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Duck gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Duck gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Duck 62°F (16°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Duck or Dayton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Duck and Dayton. Most visitors come to Duck for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Duck can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Duck is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Duck in January average around 41°F (5°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

Duck usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Duck gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

Duck gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Duck usually receives more rain than Dayton. Duck gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Duck 41°F (5°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Duck or Dayton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Duck as well as Dayton. The spring months attract visitors to Duck because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Duck is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Duck average around 59°F (15°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck this time of the year. In the spring, Duck often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Duck gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Duck usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Duck gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Duck 59°F (15°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Duck

Duck Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 41°F (5°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 42°F (6°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 50°F (10°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 59°F (15°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 67°F (19°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 78°F (26°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 78°F (25°C) 5 inches (127 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 72°F (22°C) 4.7 inches (119 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 62°F (16°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 45°F (7°C) 3.4 inches (85 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)