Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Dayton or Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
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.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.
It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.
Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.
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 PricesPalm Springs Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDayton $368Palm Springs $244
The average daily cost (per person) in Dayton is $368, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDayton $250Palm Springs $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDayton $500Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Dayton and Palm Springs
Looking for a hotel in Dayton or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dayton $25Palm Springs $52
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:
- Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $202
- Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Dayton or Palm Springs?
Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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 $105Palm Springs $92
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.Dayton -Palm Springs $29
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 Palm Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:
- Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Journey into Joshua Tree Audio Tour and Locals Guide: $15
- Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
- Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour in Joshua Tree National Park: $20
- Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours: $22
- Self-Driving Windmill Tour: $30
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket: $33
- Aerial Tramway Round-Trip Ticket: $35
- 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $45
- All-In-One California Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle Tour: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDayton -Palm Springs $13
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 Palm Springs
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Palm Springs:
- Palm Springs Bar Crawl: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dayton and Palm Springs, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Palm Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palm Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dayton Expensive? and Is Palm Springs Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Dayton or Palm Springs?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Dayton and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?
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 Palm Springs in the Summer?
Both Palm Springs and Dayton are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Palm Springs because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Dayton is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dayton in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In July, Dayton usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Dayton gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDayton 78°F (26°C)Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Palm Springs in the Autumn?
Both Palm Springs and Dayton during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Palm Springs this time of year.
In October, Dayton is generally cooler than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Dayton average around 57°F (14°C), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
Dayton usually gets more rain in October than Palm Springs. Dayton gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDayton 57°F (14°C)Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Palm Springs in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dayton and Palm Springs. Also, many travelers come to Palm Springs for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Dayton in the winter. Dayton is much colder than Palm Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Dayton averages around 30°F (-1°C) in January, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In January, Dayton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palm Springs. Dayton gets 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDayton 30°F (-1°C)Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Dayton or Palm Springs in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dayton as well as Palm Springs.
In the spring, Dayton is cooler than Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dayton in April average around 55°F (13°C), and Palm Springs averages at about 62°F (17°C).
Dayton usually gets more rain in April than Palm Springs. Dayton gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDayton 55°F (13°C)Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Dayton
| Dayton | Palm Springs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Mar | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Apr | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.5 inches (39 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.7 inches (42 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.