A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Cocoa Beach vs. Jacksonville for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

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 Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping.

Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is very popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Cocoa Beach attracts visitors for its resorts. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Jacksonville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville offer excellent local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Jacksonville has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

Cocoa Beach has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville both offer excellent beaches.

Many people visit Cocoa Beach for it's beautiful beaches. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Cocoa Beach is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Cocoa Beach is a great destination for shopping. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is very family-friendly. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Cocoa Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Cocoa Beach is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there aren't any hostels in the area, there are some affordable hotels away from the beach.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville.

Cocoa Beach has some public transit options. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville are nice when it comes to walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jacksonville or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Jacksonville. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Jacksonville.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Jacksonville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cocoa Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cocoa Beach that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Cocoa Beach if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Jacksonville.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this adventurous beach town offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Jacksonville. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Cocoa Beach is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

In Cocoa Beach, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this relaxing destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

The under-rated city of Jacksonville offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Cocoa Beach is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cocoa Beach Expensive? and Is Jacksonville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville, 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 Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville?

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 Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville in the Summer?

Both Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Jacksonville in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville in the Autumn?

Both Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Jacksonville averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Jacksonville. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Jacksonville. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Jacksonville. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Jacksonville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Jacksonville. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the spring for the beaches. Additionally, most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Cocoa Beach is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Jacksonville. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Cocoa Beach