A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Gainesville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Gainesville?

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 Big Pine Key and Gainesville. 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: Big Pine Key or Gainesville?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Big Pine Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Gainesville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Gainesville, 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 Big Pine Key or Gainesville?

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 Big Pine Key or Gainesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Gainesville. Also, most visitors come to Gainesville for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Gainesville fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite rainy in Gainesville. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Gainesville. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gainesville in the Autumn?

Both Gainesville and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the shopping scene.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Gainesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gainesville in the Winter?

Both Gainesville and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Gainesville averages at about 54°F (12°C).

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Gainesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Gainesville.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Gainesville fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Gainesville and Big Pine Key