Which city is cheaper, Dayton or Durham?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Durham vs. Dayton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
Jump to 
Should you visit Durham or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Durham and Dayton can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Durham or Dayton?
Durham
Durham is a city in central North Carolina with about 230,000 residents. Together with Raleigh and Chapel Hill, it forms the Research Triangle area. Durham is often referred to as the "City of Medicine" and is home to the famous Duke University.
Durham's history is rooted in tobacco. The Duke family established American Tobacco, which controlled 90% of all cigarette production in the US during the second half of the 19th century. The family donated money to Trinity College, which changed its name to Duke University in 1924.
Today much of Durham's economy is centered around the university and Research Triangle Park. The area has many technology and pharmaceutical jobs and the economy continues to grow.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDurham $130Dayton $259
The average daily cost (per person) in Durham is $130, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $259. 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 Durham and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDurham $73Dayton $200
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDurham $146Dayton $400
Compare Hotels in Durham and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Durham 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.
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: Durham Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Durham $26Dayton $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durham
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Durham:
- Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer from Durham to Manchester Airport (MAN): $407
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
- James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Departure Private Transfer: $133
- James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Arrival Private Transfer: $133
- James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $266
Is it cheaper to fly into Durham or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Durham 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 dayDurham $35Dayton $49
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.Durham $21Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Durham
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Durham are as follows:
- Trolley Pub Public Tour of Durham: $41
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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDurham $27Dayton -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.
When is the best time to visit Durham 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 Durham or Dayton in the Summer?
Both Dayton and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Durham is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The temperature in Durham is usually 79°F (26°C) in July, and Dayton stays around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Durham. In July, Durham usually receives more rain than Dayton. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDurham 79°F (26°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Durham or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Durham during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Durham is a little warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October are around 61°F (16°C), and Dayton is about 57°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Durham. In the autumn, Durham often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Durham usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDurham 61°F (16°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Durham or Dayton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Dayton.
Dayton can be very cold during winter. Durham can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Dayton. Temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Dayton stays around 30°F (-1°C).
Durham usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Durham usually receives more rain than Dayton. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDurham 40°F (5°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Durham or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Durham as well as Dayton.
Durham is a little warmer than Dayton in the spring. The temperature in Durham is usually 60°F (16°C) in April, and Dayton stays 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 Durham this time of the year. In the spring, Durham often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
Durham usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDurham 60°F (16°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Durham
| Durham | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 inches (125 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Related Articles for Durham
Related Articles for Dayton
Budget Your Trip
Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.More City Comparisons
Washington vs. DurhamWashington vs. Dayton
Clearwater vs. Durham
Clearwater vs. Dayton
Fort Lauderdale vs. Durham
Fort Lauderdale vs. Dayton
Gainesville vs. Durham
Gainesville vs. Dayton
Jacksonville vs. Durham
Jacksonville vs. Dayton
Miami vs. Durham
Miami vs. Dayton
Orlando vs. Durham
Orlando vs. Dayton
Saint Petersburg vs. Durham
Saint Petersburg vs. Dayton
Tallahassee vs. Durham
Tallahassee vs. Dayton
Tampa vs. Durham
Tampa vs. Dayton
Atlanta vs. Durham
Atlanta vs. Dayton
Savannah vs. Durham
Savannah vs. Dayton
New Orleans vs. Durham
New Orleans vs. Dayton
Baltimore vs. Durham
Baltimore vs. Dayton
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.