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

Should you visit Winston-Salem or Dayton?

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

Should I visit Winston-Salem 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: Winston-Salem or Dayton?

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem is a moderately sized city in Forsyth Country, North Carolina. The city has a population of about 360,000 and is located in the central part of the state in the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem goes by several nicknames including the "Twin City", the "City of Arts and Innovation" and "Camel City", a reference to the city's history in the tobacco industry. Like several towns in central North Carolina, the city's economy was also once influenced by the furniture industry, although this sector continues to shrink.

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 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Winston-Salem?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Winston-Salem is $150, 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 Winston-Salem and Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Winston-Salem $91
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Winston-Salem $182
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Winston-Salem and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem


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: Winston-Salem Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Winston-Salem $23
    Dayton $25

Is it cheaper to fly into Winston-Salem or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton and Winston-Salem 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
    Winston-Salem $42
    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.
    Winston-Salem $20
    Dayton -

Tours and Activities in Winston-Salem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Winston-Salem are as follows:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Winston-Salem by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Carolina History & Haunts Winston-Salem Historical Ghost Tour: $26

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
    Winston-Salem $24
    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 Winston-Salem and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Winston-Salem much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Winston-Salem would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem.

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


Which is Bigger, Winston-Salem or Dayton?

Winston-Salem has a larger population, and is about 21% larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem or Dayton in the Summer?

Both Dayton and Winston-Salem are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Winston-Salem for the family-friendly experiences.

Winston-Salem is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Dayton. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Winston-Salem gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Winston-Salem. In July, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Winston-Salem 81°F (27°C) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Dayton in the Autumn?

Both Dayton and Winston-Salem during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Winston-Salem in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Winston-Salem in October average around 62°F (17°C), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Winston-Salem. In the autumn, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Winston-Salem 62°F (17°C) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Dayton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Winston-Salem and Dayton. Most visitors come to Winston-Salem for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Dayton can be very cold. Winston-Salem can be very cold during winter. In January, Winston-Salem is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Winston-Salem average around 40°F (4°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Winston-Salem usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Winston-Salem gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Winston-Salem usually receives more rain than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Winston-Salem 40°F (4°C) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Winston-Salem or Dayton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Winston-Salem as well as Dayton.

Winston-Salem is a little warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Winston-Salem averages around 61°F (16°C) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dayton. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Winston-Salem this time of the year. In the spring, Winston-Salem often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Winston-Salem usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Winston-Salem gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Winston-Salem 61°F (16°C) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (4°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 61°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 69°F (21°C) 3 inches (77 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 80°F (26°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)