Should you visit Jacksonville or Dayton?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville 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. So, let's dig into it.
Jacksonville
As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Dayton or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Jacksonville, $148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Jacksonville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $74, such as in a hostel.
A hotel room in Dayton is about $400 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The price of a meal in Jacksonville can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $77 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $31 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
The average traveler spends about $49 per day in Dayton for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Dayton $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
Typical Food prices in Dayton
Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:
Local Transportation
Jacksonville's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $43 per person, per day on transportation in Jacksonville.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $20 per day to get around in Dayton.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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JAX Airport Transfer to Downtown Jacksonville:
$97
-
Airport to Hotel Jacksonville Private Transfer:
$125
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Jacksonville Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport:
$125
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JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
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JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island:
$129
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JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
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Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
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JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
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Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
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Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dayton
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dayton:
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James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$266
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James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Departure Private Transfer:
$133
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James M. Cox Dayton Airport (DAY) to Dayton - Arrival Private Transfer:
$133
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Jacksonville 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jacksonville can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
-
Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
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Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
-
Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
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Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
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Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
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Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Jacksonville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jacksonville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville.
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