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

Should you visit Kansas City or Dayton?

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

Should I visit Kansas City 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: Kansas City or Dayton?

Kansas City

A large, mid western city that sits on the border between Missouri and Kansa, Kansas City has a population of about 450,000. It's not exactly a tourist destination, but it is a surprisingly beautiful city with more boulevards than Paris and more fountains than any other city in the world with the exception of Rome. Most of the city's suburbs are concentrated in the south but the city is beginning to grow to the north as well. The climate in Kansas City can vary dramatically, in large part because it is so far from any form of water. Winters can range from mild to extremely cold and snow is not uncommon. Spring and fall and quite comfortable but summer months can be incredibly hot and humid.

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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Kansas City?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kansas City is $161, 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 Kansas City and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kansas City $88
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kansas City $176
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Kansas City and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Kansas City 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 Kansas City


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: Kansas City Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kansas City $44
    Dayton $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Kansas City or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and Kansas City 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
    Kansas City $47
    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.
    Kansas City $11
    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
    Kansas City $12
    Dayton -


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kansas City and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Kansas City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kansas City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kansas City 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 Kansas City.

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


Which is Bigger, Kansas City or Dayton?

Kansas City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Kansas City 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 Kansas City or Dayton?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kansas City or Dayton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kansas City as well as Dayton.

Kansas City is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kansas City this time of the year. In the summer, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Kansas City gets 325 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dayton. Kansas City gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kansas City 82°F (28°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Dayton in the Autumn?

Both Dayton and Kansas City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Kansas City is around the same temperature as Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kansas City in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kansas City. Kansas City usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during autumn. Kansas City gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Kansas City gets 2.4 inches (62 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kansas City 60°F (15°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and Kansas City during the winter are popular places to visit.

The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Kansas City can be very cold during winter. In January, Kansas City is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in Kansas City average around 30°F (-1°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

In the winter, Kansas City often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Kansas City gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kansas City usually gets less rain in January than Dayton. Kansas City gets 0.9 inches (23 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kansas City 30°F (-1°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Kansas City or Dayton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kansas City and Dayton.

Kansas City is a little warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Kansas City averages around 58°F (15°C) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Kansas City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kansas City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during spring. Kansas City gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kansas City usually receives less rain than Dayton. Kansas City gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kansas City 58°F (15°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Kansas City

Kansas City Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 30°F (-1°C) 0.9 inches (23 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 47°F (8°C) 2 inches (52 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 58°F (15°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 71°F (22°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 60°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (62 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 46°F (8°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 34°F (1°C) 1.2 inches (30 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)