Which place is cheaper, Gainesville or Boca Raton?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Boca Raton vs. Gainesville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton 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: Boca Raton or Gainesville?
Boca Raton
An affluent city with a reputation for catering to the well-to-do, Boca Raton is a beautiful city in Southern Florida with plenty to offer for all tastes and budgets. Boca's warm weather climate has visitors flocking to its many beaches and parks each day, while others take advantage of the golf courses, spas, annual events, festivals, live shows, museums, shopping, dining, and more.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoca Raton $283Gainesville $221
The average daily cost (per person) in Boca Raton is $283, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $221. 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 Boca Raton and Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoca Raton $171Gainesville $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoca Raton $342Gainesville $238
Compare Hotels in Boca Raton and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Boca Raton or Gainesville? 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: Boca Raton Hotel Prices and Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boca Raton $76Gainesville $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boca Raton
Also for Boca Raton, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Delray Beach to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Boynton Beach to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Boca Raton to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
- Delray Beach to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Boca Raton to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)- Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Boynton Beach to Miami Airport (MIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Boca Raton Private Transfer to FLL (UP TO 14 PASS): $80
- Private Delray Beach Transfer and Fort Lauderdale Airport: $84
- Private Transfer from West Palm Beach to (FLL) Airport: $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $594
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $579
- Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $398
Is it cheaper to fly into Boca Raton or Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville and Boca Raton 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 dayBoca Raton $67Gainesville $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boca Raton
For Boca Raton, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Delray Dinner & Drinks Tour: $104
Typical Food prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boca Raton $28Gainesville $44
Tours and Activities in Boca Raton
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boca Raton.
- Boomers Park Admission Tickets: $50
- Delray Beach Food & Drinks Tour: $104
- Boca Raton-Deerfield Beach 1-Hour Private Jet Ski Guided Tour: $150
- Boca Raton Waterways Sightseeing Private Boat Tour: $515
Typical Entertainment prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $15
- Private Snorkeling Tour in Florida Springs: $250
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoca Raton $40Gainesville $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boca Raton and Gainesville, we can see that Boca Raton is more expensive. And not only is Gainesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gainesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gainesville 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 Boca Raton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boca Raton than you might in Gainesville.
Which is Bigger, Boca Raton or Gainesville?
Gainesville is bigger, and its population is about 56% larger than the population of Boca Raton. When comparing the population of Boca Raton vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton or Gainesville in the Summer?
Both Gainesville and Boca Raton during the summer are popular places to visit.
In the summer, Boca Raton is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Boca Raton in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Gainesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Boca Raton. Boca Raton usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Gainesville. Boca Raton gets 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBoca Raton 82°F (28°C)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Boca Raton or Gainesville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Boca Raton and Gainesville.
In October, Boca Raton is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Boca Raton average around 78°F (25°C), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Boca Raton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Boca Raton gets 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoca Raton 78°F (25°C)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Boca Raton or Gainesville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Boca Raton as well as Gainesville.
Boca Raton is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Boca Raton averages around 65°F (19°C) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
Boca Raton usually gets less rain in January than Gainesville. Boca Raton gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoca Raton 65°F (19°C)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Boca Raton or Gainesville in the Spring?
Both Gainesville and Boca Raton are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Boca Raton is a little warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Boca Raton in April average around 74°F (23°C), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).
In April, Boca Raton usually receives more rain than Gainesville. Boca Raton gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBoca Raton 74°F (23°C)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Boca Raton
| Boca Raton | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 65°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 66°F (19°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 8.1 inches (207 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (166 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 9.8 inches (250 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 8.7 inches (222 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
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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.
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