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

Should you visit Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach?

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 West Palm Beach. 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 West Palm Beach?

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!

West Palm Beach

One of Florida's most dynamic cities, West Palm Beach encapsulates the best of a metropolitan city all while nestled in the warm serenity of a tropical paradise. Located in southern Florida, about an hour's drive north of Miami, West Palm Beach holds a population of 99,919 and is one of the three main cities in South Florida. This city is known for its unique culture, world-class dining, and extensive shopping districts. From young to old, everyone can find their own niche in such a pleasant, diverse city. No matter what time of the year it may be, you can be assured that it is gorgeously sunny in West Palm Beach!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and West Palm Beach, we can see that West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key and West Palm Beach, 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 West Palm Beach?

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 Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and West Palm Beach. Furthermore, many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in West Palm Beach this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as West Palm Beach during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

West Palm Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as West Palm Beach.

Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as West Palm Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets around the same amount of sunshine as West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in October than West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach in the Winter?

Both West Palm Beach and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to West Palm Beach for the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than West Palm Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and West Palm Beach averages at about 65°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in West Palm Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as West Palm Beach during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while West Palm Beach receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or West Palm Beach in the Spring?

Both West Palm Beach and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the beaches.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In West Palm Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while West Palm Beach receives 300 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than West Palm Beach. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in West Palm Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for West Palm Beach and Big Pine Key