Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Dayton. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Fort Lauderdale or Dayton?
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $182Dayton $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, 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 Fort Lauderdale and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $96Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $192Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale 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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $51Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Transfer Private Vehicle to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL): $39
- Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL-Departure Transfer: $41
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Port Everglades-Arrival Transfer: $41
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boynton Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Fort Lauderdale to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Port Everglades - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Fort Lauderdale to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Coral Gables - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Doral hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $51
- Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Las Olas Beach Area: $60
- Miami Airport and Seaport Private Transfer (up to 14 passengers): $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
- Daytona Beach: One Way Airport Transfer Service: $82
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Fort Lauderdale 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 dayFort Lauderdale $49Dayton $61
Typical Food Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Immersive Sushi Cooking Class in Fort Lauderdale: $55
- All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $80
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner & Drinks Tour: $109
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale Dinner and Drinks Tour: $114
- Fort Lauderdale Beach Food Tour: $114
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort Lauderdale $15Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Audio Walking Tour of Las Olas Riverwalk: $7.27
- Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk Self-guided Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Pembroke Pines by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Davie by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pompano Beach by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Water Taxi evening hop-on hop-off sunset sightseeing cruise: $20
- Skip the Line: Flamingo Gardens Admission Ticket in Fort Lauderdale: $24
- Ghosts and Ghouls Haunted Walking Tour: $24
- Florida Everglades Airboat Adventure and Wildlife Encounter: $29
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $29
- Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale: $31
- Water Taxi All Day hop-on hop-off Venice of America Boat Tour: $32
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Private Tubing Experience on the River: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $33Dayton -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Ft. Lauderdale Boos & Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Guided Happy Hour Bar Crawl by Beer Bike: $64
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $74
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $74
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 Fort Lauderdale and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort Lauderdale Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Dayton?
Fort Lauderdale has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or Dayton in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Dayton. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
Fort Lauderdale gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Dayton in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Dayton. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Dayton in the Winter?
Both Dayton and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Dayton in the Spring?
Both Dayton and Fort Lauderdale during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.
In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 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.