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

Should you visit Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City 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: Atlantic City or Dayton?

Atlantic City

Atlantic City, on the southeastern coast of New Jersey, is a popular destination for gambling, partying, and generally having fun. The beach is lined with casinos, many with famous names, and there's a boardwalk that offers a diverse experience. Most people don't head to Atlantic City for the beaches - it's the casinos and partying that draws a crowd. This is a popular spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or anybody looking for an affordable place to gamble.

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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Atlantic City or Dayton?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Atlantic City. When comparing the sizes of Atlantic 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 Atlantic City 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 Atlantic City or Dayton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Atlantic City and Dayton. Many visitors come to Atlantic City in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Atlantic City is generally around the same temperature as Dayton. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 75°F (24°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 Atlantic City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Atlantic City usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Atlantic City gets 273 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlantic City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Dayton. Atlantic City gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Atlantic City as well as Dayton. Most visitors come to Atlantic City for the shopping scene during these months.

Atlantic City is around the same temperature as Dayton in the autumn. The daily temperature in Atlantic City averages around 56°F (13°C) in October, and Dayton fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In the autumn, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Atlantic City gets 197 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Dayton. Atlantic City gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and Atlantic City are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Atlantic City because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. The weather in Atlantic City can be very cold. In the winter, Atlantic City is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the winter temperatures in Atlantic City in January average around 31°F (-0°C), and Dayton averages at about 30°F (-1°C).

Atlantic City usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Atlantic City gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Atlantic City usually receives more rain than Dayton. Atlantic City gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Atlantic City or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton and Atlantic City during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches are the main draw to Atlantic City this time of year.

In April, Atlantic City is generally cooler than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Atlantic City average around 51°F (10°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 Atlantic City. In the spring, Atlantic City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dayton. Atlantic City gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Atlantic City usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Dayton. Atlantic City gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dayton and Atlantic City