Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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: Cocoa Beach or Dayton?
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.
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 Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Cocoa Beach Prices
USA PricesDayton Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCocoa Beach $176Dayton $368
The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $176, while the average daily cost in Dayton is $368. 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 Cocoa Beach and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCocoa Beach $85Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCocoa Beach $170Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach 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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cocoa Beach $26Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $295
Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Cocoa Beach 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 dayCocoa Beach $75Dayton $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $79
- Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100
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.Cocoa Beach $16Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- 2 Hr Dolphin & Manatee River Cruise . Melbourne, Cocoa Beach,Fl. : $30
- Brevard County Tours, dolphin and manatee tours in Palm Bay, FL: $40
- 1-Hour Virtual Reality Experience Skull & Books VR - Cocoa Beach: $45
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
- Cocoa Beach Sunset Tour: $48
- Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
- Sunset Cruise: $48
- Dolphin Eco Cruise Nature Adventure in Cocoa Beach: $49
- 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $49
- Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings: $50
- Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $50
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
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCocoa Beach $20Dayton -
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: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Dayton?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach 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 Cocoa Beach or Dayton in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Dayton. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Dayton. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 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 JulyCocoa Beach 81°F (27°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Dayton. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCocoa Beach 77°F (25°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Dayton in the Winter?
Both Dayton and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. In January, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
Cocoa Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Dayton. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 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 JanuaryCocoa Beach 63°F (17°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Dayton. The beaches are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year.
Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Dayton. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCocoa Beach 73°F (23°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Cocoa Beach
| Cocoa Beach | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 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.