Which place is cheaper, Cincinnati or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Cincinnati?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs or Cincinnati? 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: Hot Springs or Cincinnati?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
Cincinnati
Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $182Cincinnati $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $182, while the average daily cost in Cincinnati is $176. 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 Hot Springs and Cincinnati in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Cincinnati $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Cincinnati $204
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Cincinnati
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs or Cincinnati? 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Cincinnati Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Cincinnati $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs Resorts to Memphis Airport (MEM) Departure Transfer: $142
- Private Departure Transfer from Hot Springs Resort to Little Rock: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cincinnati
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
- Cincinnati to Cincinnati Airport (CVG) - Departure Private Transfer: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Cincinnati?
Prices for flights to both Cincinnati and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $52Cincinnati $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.
- Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $61
- Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY: $79
- Cincinnati Court Street Food Tour with Vegan Options: $85
- Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market : $85
- Cincinnati Walking Sightseeing Tour with Pizza and Ice-cream: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Cincinnati $26
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs, AR: Magic Springs Theme & Water Park Ticket: $44
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Cincinnati
Here are a few actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Mt Adams Historic, Cincinnati, App/GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Self-Guided Haunted Walking Audio Tour: $6.75
- Mount Adams Historic Smartphone Guided App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Self Guided Cincinnati Ghost Haunted Walking Tour Audio Tour Music Hall OTR: $7.75
- Self Guided Walking Tour of Cincinnati: $9.59
- Queen of the West's Best - An Audio Tour: $12
- Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Entry Ticket: $12
- Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $18
- Tour of Historic Wesleyan Cemetery: $20
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati: $25
- Ghost Walking Tour: $26
- Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Cincinnati $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati
Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cincinnati Bar Hunt: Cin-sational Cincinnati Bar Crawl: $12
- Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: $49
- Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
- Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Small-Group Tour: $68
When comparing the travel costs between Hot Springs and Cincinnati, we can see that Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Cincinnati Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Cincinnati?
Cincinnati has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs and Cincinnati, 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 Hot Springs or Cincinnati?
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 Hot Springs or Cincinnati in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Cincinnati. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cincinnati this time of year.
In the summer, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Cincinnati. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hot Springs usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Cincinnati 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Cincinnati in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Cincinnati. Additionally, many travelers come to Cincinnati for the shopping scene.
In October, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Cincinnati. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Cincinnati fluctuates around 58°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 188 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Cincinnati 58°F (15°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Cincinnati in the Winter?
Both Cincinnati and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cincinnati in the winter for the museums and the shopping scene.
Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is much warmer than Cincinnati in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Cincinnati fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Cincinnati during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Cincinnati receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Cincinnati in the Spring?
Both Cincinnati and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit.
In the spring, Hot Springs is a little warmer than Cincinnati. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Cincinnati averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In Cincinnati, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cincinnati receives 215 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Cincinnati. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Cincinnati receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Cincinnati 56°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Cincinnati and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Cincinnati | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.