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

Should you visit Miami 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 Miami and Dayton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Miami or Dayton?

Miami

Miami is a popular tourist destination and a modern city in South Florida. It has beautiful white beaches, crystal blue waters, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, impressive shopping, and excellent dining opportunities. It is also a gateway to the Florida Keys, which is another popular destination in South Florida.

Miami is the second most populated city in Florida and the metropolitan area is the most populated in the state with more than 5.4 million people. It's also the 7th largest metro area in the country. The city sits between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Everglades to the west. It covers 110 miles north to south but is a narrow 20 miles east to west.

Miami sits at a low latitude, giving it a subtropical savannah climate. There are two seasons; the warm and dry season between November and April and the hot and wet season between May and October. The coldest months are between December and March when highs are in the upper 70 or low 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months have highs in the upper 80s or 90s and lows in the mid 70s with high humidity.

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 place is cheaper, Dayton or Miami?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Miami is $206, 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 Miami and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Miami $132
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Miami $264
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Miami and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Miami 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 Miami


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: Miami Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Miami $38
    Dayton $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Miami

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Miami are as follows:


  • Car Rental for a Day
    $18

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Miami

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Miami:

  • Train Transfer to South Florida Cities: $10
  • Miami International Airport: One-Way Transfer to Miami: $24
  • Private Transfer from Miami Airport to Hotel or Port of Miami: $35
  • Miami or Ft Lauderdale: Train Transfer to Orlando Airport: $39
  • From Everglades Wildlife Show, Airboat & Bus Transfer: $40
  • Miami Int'l Airport: Private 1-Way Transfer to Miami Port: $48
  • The Ultimate Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show and Transfer: $49
  • From Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show & Bus Transfer: $55
  • Private One Way Transfer: Miami Airport (MIA) to/from Miami: $55
  • Key West Transfer with Hotel Pickup and Upgrades: $60
  • Miami & Key West: One-Way Transfer by Motor Coach Bus: $62
  • Private Transfer in Miami (MIA) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Miami or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and Miami 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
    Miami $41
    Dayton $61
Typical Food Prices in Miami

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Miami:


  • Lunch with Drinks (for 2)
    $45
  • David's Cafe Lunch (for 1)
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Miami

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Miami.

  • Little Havana- Family Friendly Walking Food Tour : $52
  • The Ultimate Little Havana Food Tour: $64
  • Wynwood Street Art, Culture, Donuts & Walking Food Tour: $65
  • Little Havana Street Food Tour with Enthusiastic Guide: $69
  • Cuban Food Tour Of Little Havana: $70
  • South Beach Food Tour: $70
  • Taste of Little Havana Food Tour in Miami with Cuban Street Food: $75
  • Little Havana Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Food Tour of Miami's South Beach: $79
  • South Beach Miami Food & Fun Art Deco Food Tour : $79
  • Mango's Tropical Cafe Dinner & Show: $98
  • Miami Dinner Party w/ Night Club Experience: $100

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.
    Miami $31
    Dayton -

Tours and Activities in Miami

Here are a few actual costs in Miami for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Haunted a Smartphone Audio Driving Tour : $6.05
  • Haunted Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Driving Tour: $7.33
  • Miami Beach: Self-Guided Walking Tour With Audio Guide: $7.33
  • Sights of Downtown a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Miami: $8.82
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour - Little Havana: $10
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Miami by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Audio Tour of Downtown, South Beach, and Wynwood: $11
  • Miami Marlins Baseball Game Ticket at loandepot Park: $11
  • Giant Fish Feeding Experience: $12
  • Wynwood Walls Admission Ticket : $12
  • Wynwood Walls Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket: $13

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
    Miami $22
    Dayton -
Typical Alcohol Prices in Miami

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Miami are as follows:


  • Evening at a Bar
    $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Miami

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Miami:

  • Miami Bar Crawl: $25
  • Miami Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Wynwood Graffiti Brewery Golf Cart Tour: $63
  • Miami Beach Bar Crawl: Art Deco & Neon Lights with Historian: $63
  • Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
  • Wynwood Party Bike Bar Crawl: $64
  • Wynwood Bar Crawl: $100


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

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


Which is Bigger, Miami or Dayton?

Miami has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Miami 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 Miami 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 Miami or Dayton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Miami and Dayton. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Miami this time of year.

In July, Miami is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Miami 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 Miami, it's very sunny this time of the year. Miami usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during summer. Miami gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

Miami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Miami usually receives more rain than Dayton. Miami gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Miami 83°F (28°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Miami or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Miami as well as Dayton. Many travelers come to Miami for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Miami is much warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Miami 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 Miami this time of the year. In the autumn, Miami often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Miami gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Miami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Miami usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Miami gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Miami 78°F (26°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Miami or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and Miami are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Miami in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Dayton can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Miami is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Miami 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 Miami. Miami usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Miami gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Miami usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Miami gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Miami 67°F (20°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Miami or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and Miami during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Miami for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Miami is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Miami 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 Miami. In the spring, Miami often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Miami gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Miami usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Miami 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 April
    Miami 75°F (24°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Miami

Miami 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)