Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Sarasota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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: Sarasota or Dayton?
Sarasota
Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySarasota $249Dayton $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Sarasota is $249, 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 Sarasota and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSarasota $108Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSarasota $216Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Sarasota and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Sarasota 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: Sarasota Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sarasota -Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota
Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Sarasota or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Sarasota 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 daySarasota $137Dayton $61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarasota
For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sarasota Street Food Tour: $85
- Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
- Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165
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.Sarasota $11Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Sarasota
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.
- Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
- Palmetto: Haunted History Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Robinson Preserve Nature Walk Eco Tour: $40
- Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $50
- Adventure and Wildlife Watch Kayak Rentals in Sarasota: $50
- Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $55
- 2 Hours Guided Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
- Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
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 daySarasota -Dayton -
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 Sarasota and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Sarasota much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sarasota would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarasota 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 Sarasota.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sarasota Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Dayton?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Sarasota. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Dayton in the Summer?
Both Dayton and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sarasota is around the same temperature as Dayton. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sarasota in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Dayton averages at about 78°F (26°C).
In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets less sunshine than Dayton. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Dayton. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySarasota 82°F (28°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Dayton. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Sarasota is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 76°F (24°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSarasota 76°F (24°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Dayton. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. Sarasota is much warmer than Dayton in the winter. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun.
Sarasota usually gets more rain in January than Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySarasota 59°F (15°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Dayton in the Spring?
Both Dayton and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.
In the spring, Sarasota is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sarasota in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Dayton averages at about 55°F (13°C).
It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Dayton. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Sarasota is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSarasota 73°F (23°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Sarasota
| Sarasota | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.