Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Saint Louis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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: Saint Louis or Dayton?
Saint Louis
Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" and perhaps best known for its iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, has grown from a last stop for pioneers journeying west to a thriving metropolis notable for its diverse culture, impressive architecture, and unique neighborhoods. It sits on the Mississippi River and has plenty to offer in dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.
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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography 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 daySaint Louis $184Dayton $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Louis is $184, 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 Saint Louis and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Louis $101Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Louis $202Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Saint Louis and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Saint Louis 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: Saint Louis Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Louis $26Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:
- Private Transfers for Departure from Queens to JFK Airport: $29
- St. Louis City to St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Private Transfer from Port Louis Airport (MRU) to Port Louis Port: $76
- Private Transfer in Saint Louis, MO (STL): $80
- Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $116
- Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $116
- St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Louis or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Saint Louis 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 daySaint Louis $54Dayton $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - St. Louis, MO: $86
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.Saint Louis $46Dayton -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint Louis
Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Gateway Arch parking$6.00
Tours and Activities in Saint Louis
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Interstate 55: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $5.20
- St Louis Cardinals Baseball Game Ticket at Busch Stadium: $12
- Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $15
- Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
- St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour: $30
- True Crime Walking Tour in Soulard Neighbourhood: $30
- Private Gastronomy Barbecue Tour in St. Louis: $125
- St. Louis Arch and River Cruise Small Group Walking Tour: $144
- Romantic Tour in The City of Love: $174
- Best of St. Louis Small Group Tour w/St Louis Arch & River Cruise: $174
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Louis $19Dayton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:
- The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25
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 Saint Louis and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Saint Louis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Louis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Louis Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Louis or Dayton?
Saint Louis has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis or Dayton in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Louis and Dayton. Many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Louis is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 81°F (27°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 Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton during summer. Saint Louis gets 309 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Louis usually receives more rain than Dayton. Saint Louis gets 3.8 inches (96 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 JulySaint Louis 81°F (27°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Dayton in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Louis as well as Dayton. Most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months.
Saint Louis is a little warmer than Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Louis averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Louis this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Saint Louis gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.
Saint Louis usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dayton. Saint Louis gets 2.7 inches (68 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 OctoberSaint Louis 60°F (16°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Dayton in the Winter?
Both Dayton and Saint Louis are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Louis is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Louis in January average around 31°F (-1°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
Saint Louis usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Saint Louis gets 160 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Louis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Saint Louis gets 2 inches (52 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 JanuarySaint Louis 31°F (-1°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Saint Louis or Dayton in the Spring?
Both Dayton and Saint Louis during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Saint Louis is generally a little warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Saint Louis average around 58°F (15°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 Saint Louis. In the spring, Saint Louis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Saint Louis gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. Saint Louis usually gets more rain in April than Dayton. Saint Louis gets 4.4 inches (111 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 AprilSaint Louis 58°F (15°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Saint Louis
| Saint Louis | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 31°F (-1°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 47°F (8°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 79°F (26°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 60°F (16°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (77 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.