Which place is cheaper, Denver or Dayton?
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 Dayton or Denver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Denver, 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 Denver?
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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.
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Dayton Prices
USA PricesDenver Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $368Denver $248
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $368, while the average daily cost in Denver is $248. 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 Dayton and Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Denver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Denver $174
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Denver
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Denver? 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: Dayton Hotel Prices and Denver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Denver $101
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Hot Ski Resorts: $65
- Departure Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN by Business Car: $113
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $118
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $118
- Arrival Private Transfer: Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $119
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $122
- Denver International Airport Private Transfer Pick up: $130
- Private City Tour in Denver with Transfer: $140
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer: $143
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Keystone resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $143
- Keystone resort to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $143
- Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $143
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Denver?
Prices for flights to both Denver and Dayton 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 dayDayton $105Denver $73
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
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- Epic Pad Thai Cooking Class in Denver: $55
- 16th Street Mall Food Tour with Local Guide: $62
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
- Denver RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $85
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $85
- Denver Food Tour: 6+ Tastings in Historic Downtown: $99
- Dinner Food Tour in RiNo Denver : $99
- RiNo Evening Food Tour with a Local Guide: $99
- Denver Food Tour: Wild West Flavors & Downtown Classics: $111
- Taste of the City Food Tour by Bike or E-Bike: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dayton -Denver $52
Tours and Activities in Dayton
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:
- Daytona Beach: Paddle Pub Experience: $45
- Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- $5 Capitol Hill History & Ghost Walking Tour: $5.00
- Denver's Art District Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self Guided Tour: $7.19
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.73
- Denver's Heart A Self Guided Tour of the State Capitol and Beyond: $8.99
- Denver’s Wild Side: Self-Guided Audio Tour of its Notorious Past: $9.99
- Winding Pathways of Denver's City Park A Self-Guided Tour : $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Fun Royal Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Arvada, CO: $10
- Self Guided Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
- Denver Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Denver $5.31
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Denver Bar Crawl Lodo Bar Crawl: $15
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- 4+ Hour Themed Bar Crawl Through Denver's RiNo Arts District : $35
- Private Vintner's Wine Tasting Experience in Colorado: $40
- Downtown Denver Pub Crawl - Food & Drinks Included!: $50
- Neighborhood Bar Crawl in RiNo Arts District (Denver): $50
- Vintner's Personalized Wine Tasting Experience: $60
- Wild West Pub Crawl: $61
- Buds & Brews Cannabis Grow Tour and Brewery Visit: $67
- E-Bike & Brews: Denver's Platte River & Brewery E-Bike Tour: $125
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Denver, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Denver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Denver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Denver 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 Denver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Denver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Denver?
Denver has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Denver, 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.
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.