A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Dayton vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

A small, beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its idyllic natural scenery and artistic history. Carmel's village, just one square mile in size, is unlike any other in California with its picturesque views, European style and unusual laws.

Clint Eastwood served as mayor of Carmel from 1986-88. Without a single fast food or chain restaurants, visitors can easily feel that Carmel still preserves its slow and easy lifestyle, with all private-owned restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. This town is undoubtedly charming, even with its anti-high heel laws (though they aren't strictly enforced and permits are free at the City Hall), lack of street addresses and has been named the top destination for dog-friendly towns in the country. Grab your furry friends, leave your heels at home and get ready to explore this quaint and lovely town by the sea.

If you want to avoid the heat, Carmel is the perfect place to go, with year-round mild temperatures. Even during the summer seasons, you may not feel the heat through the fog and cool coastal weather. Peak seasons for travel are during summer months in August and September, (especially popular for weddings) and even then, the highs are still in the low 70s. Winter season lows dip only down to low 50s, with the Pacific Oceans maintaining moderate temperatures.

If you're driving to the city, keep in mind that the businesses do not have numbers in their addresses. To get directions or arrange a meeting, be sure to remember the name of the business and grab a map from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Some famous artists who have resided in Carmel are Upton Sinclair, Jack London and Mary Austin. Carmel is known to be particularly dog-friendly, as almost all hotels allow guests to bring their dogs.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Dayton has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Dayton is a little warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Dayton is cooler than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dayton in October average around 57°F (14°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Dayton usually gets more rain in October than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Furthermore, most visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Dayton is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 30°F (-1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In January, Dayton usually receives less rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dayton or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Dayton is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 55°F (13°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

Dayton usually gets more rain in April than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Dayton