A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Pine Key vs. Pocono Mountains for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Pocono Mountains?

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 Pocono Mountains. 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 Pocono Mountains?

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!

Pocono Mountains

The Poconos are a region of mountains, small towns, and natural areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Located just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this region of 4 counties (Wayne, Pike, Monroe, & Carbon) consists of plenty of mountain scenery, gorgeous lakes, historic small towns, ski resorts, state parks, water parks, and more.

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 Pocono Mountains, we can see that Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Pocono Mountains?

Big Pine Key has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Pocono Mountains. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and Pocono Mountains, 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 Pocono Mountains?

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 Pocono Mountains in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Pocono Mountains. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Pocono Mountains because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Pocono Mountains in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pocono Mountains. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 288 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in July than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Pocono Mountains in the Autumn?

Both Pocono Mountains and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Pocono Mountains this time of year.

In the autumn, Big Pine Key is much warmer than Pocono Mountains. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Pocono Mountains averages at about 55°F (13°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Pocono Mountains during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 168 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Pocono Mountains in the Winter?

Both Pocono Mountains and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pocono Mountains for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Pocono Mountains. In January, Big Pine Key is generally much warmer than Pocono Mountains. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 127 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Pocono Mountains in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Pocono Mountains. Furthermore, many visitors come to Pocono Mountains in the spring for the natural beauty.

Big Pine Key is much warmer than Pocono Mountains in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Pocono Mountains fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pocono Mountains this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Pocono Mountains during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pocono Mountains and Big Pine Key