Which place is cheaper, Dayton or Daytona 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 Daytona Beach or Dayton?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Dayton? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Daytona Beach or Dayton?
Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida, located on the Atlantic coast, is a wildly popular tourist destination for people from all over the world due to great beaches, spring break fun, and NASCAR races. Tourists come to enjoy the warm Florida weather, the beautiful beaches, the activities, the boardwalk, the nightlife, and many other things the city has to offer. The beaches around Daytona are famous for their hard-packed sand, which makes them easy for cars to drive on. For this reason, Daytona has a history of automobile racing, and is home to dozens of races that take place throughout the year, the most famous of which is the Daytona 500. Naturally, Daytona is also home to NASCAR headquarters. But it's so much more than just a race destination, as it's also a fun and family-friendly destination that attractions a wide range of visitors.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Daytona Beach Prices
USA PricesDayton Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDaytona Beach $269Dayton $368
The average daily cost (per person) in Daytona Beach is $269, 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 Daytona Beach and Dayton in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDaytona Beach $84Dayton $250
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDaytona Beach $168Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Daytona Beach and Dayton
Looking for a hotel in Daytona 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: Daytona Beach Hotel Prices and Dayton Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Daytona Beach $53Dayton $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Daytona Beach
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Daytona Beach:
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $202
- Private Transfer from Daytona to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $219
- Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Port Canaveral: $262
Is it cheaper to fly into Daytona Beach or Dayton?
Prices for flights to both Dayton and Daytona 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 dayDaytona Beach $138Dayton $105
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Daytona Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Daytona Beach.
- Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach: $53
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.Daytona Beach $28Dayton -
Tours and Activities in Daytona Beach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Daytona Beach are as follows:
- Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain: $35
- Discovery Dolphin Boat Tour: $35
- St. Johns River Cruise - Blue Spring State Park : $38
- Scenic Mangrove Tunnel Paddle Tour – New Smyrna Beach: $45
- Paddle Pub Experience: $45
- Kayaking Backwaters of New Smyrna Beach Ecotour/Birdwatching: $50
- Guided Wildlife Eco Kayak Tour in New Smyrna Beach: $50
- New Smyrna Mangrove Paddle & Mimosa Tour: $55
- Zipline Adventure through Tuscawilla Park: $59
- Nighttime iSUP Glow Paddleboard Adventure in Daytona Beach: $60
- Orlando Manatee and Natural Spring Adventure Tour at Blue Springs: $65
- Dolphin and Manatee Kayak Tour of Daytona Beach: $65
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDaytona Beach $43Dayton -
Sample the Local Flavors in Daytona Beach
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Daytona Beach:
- Karaoke Party Bus Dive Bar Crawl: $40
- Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $50
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 Daytona Beach and Dayton, we can see that Dayton is more expensive. And not only is Daytona Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Daytona Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Daytona 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 Daytona Beach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Daytona Beach Expensive? and Is Dayton Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Daytona Beach or Dayton?
Dayton has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Daytona Beach. When comparing the sizes of Daytona 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 Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach or Dayton in the Summer?
Both Dayton and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Daytona Beach is around the same temperature as Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Dayton. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDaytona Beach 81°F (27°C)Dayton 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Dayton in the Autumn?
Both Dayton and Daytona Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Daytona Beach is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Daytona Beach in October average around 74°F (23°C), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDaytona Beach 74°F (23°C)Dayton 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Dayton in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Dayton. Most visitors come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Dayton can be very cold. In January, Daytona Beach is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 58°F (14°C), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
In January, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Dayton. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDaytona Beach 58°F (14°C)Dayton 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Daytona Beach or Dayton in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Dayton. The spring months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Daytona Beach is much warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 69°F (21°C) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).
Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDaytona Beach 69°F (21°C)Dayton 55°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Dayton and Daytona Beach
| Daytona Beach | Dayton | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 58°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Feb | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (21°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6 inches (152 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Sep | 80°F (26°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |
| Oct | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Nov | 66°F (19°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Dec | 60°F (16°C) | 2.6 inches (66 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.