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

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Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Key West?

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 Key West. 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: Cocoa Beach or Key West?

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

Key West

Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.

Which place is cheaper, Key West or Cocoa Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $145, while the average daily cost in Key West is $551. 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 Cocoa Beach and Key West in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cocoa Beach $85
    Key West $132
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cocoa Beach $170
    Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Key West

Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Key West? 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.

Hotels in Cocoa Beach


Hotels in Key West


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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices and Key West Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cocoa Beach $26
    Key West $51

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cocoa Beach

Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Hotel transfers : $47
  • Private Transfer from Melbourne to Port Canaveral: $213

Typical Local Transportation prices in Key West

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:

  • Private Departure Transfer to Key West Airport EYW: $144
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
  • Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Key West?

Prices for flights to both Key West and Cocoa Beach 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cocoa Beach $43
    Key West $385

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • 3-Hour Indian River Queen Cruise with Dinner: $75
  • Guided Walking Food Tour in Cocoa Beach: $79
  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.

  • Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar: $81
  • Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise with Tropical Buffet Dinner: $93
  • Key West Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $97
  • Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
  • Key West Sunset Buffet Dinner Cruise with open bar and Live Music : $110
  • Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
  • Dolphin Watching & Snorkeling in Key West with Sunset Dinner Cruise and Open Bar: $190
  • Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cocoa Beach $16
    Key West $33

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Wizard of OZ Museum tour: $30
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours on the Banana River: $38
  • Sunset Cruise on the Beautiful Banana River: $38
  • Dolphin Tours along and near the beautiful Indian River Lagoon : $40
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $45
  • Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour with Cocoa Kayaking!: $45
  • Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $45
  • Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle Tour: $49
  • Daytime Guided Kayak Eco-Tour: $49
  • Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour of Cocoa Beach: $49
  • Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking: $50
  • Indian River Clear Bottom Kayak or Paddleboarding Manatee and Dolphin Tour : $50

Tours and Activities in Key West

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:

  • Private E-Pedicab 1 Hour Sightseeing Ride of Old Town Key West: $100
  • Southernmost Ghosts Tour: $33
  • 1 Hour Key West Jet Ski Freestyle Adventure: $155
  • 2-Hour Live Music Guided Tour in Key West: $35
  • 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise Boat in Key West: $345
  • 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise around Key West: $150
  • 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise on a Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $457
  • 3-Hour Extreme Adventure in Key West: $140
  • 4-Hour Private Cruise to a Sand Bar on a Boat in Key West: $495
  • 4-Hour Private Key West Boat Adventure | Snorkel and More!: $400
  • 4-Hour Private Sand Bar Cruise on a Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $565
  • Adults only Champagne Celebration Sunset Cruise from Key West: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cocoa Beach $20
    Key West $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Key West

Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $27
  • Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
  • Original Key West Pub Crawl: $38
  • 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $38

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Key West?

Key West is bigger, and its population is about 97% larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the population of Cocoa Beach vs. Key West, 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 Cocoa Beach or Key West?

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 Cocoa Beach or Key West in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Key West. Also, many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Key West. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C) 
    Key West 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Key West in the Autumn?

Both Key West and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Key West in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Key West fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Key West. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C) 
    Key West 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Key West in the Winter?

Both Key West and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Cocoa Beach is cooler than Key West. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Key West averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in January than Key West. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C) 
    Key West 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Key West in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Key West. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally cooler than Key West. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Key West. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C) 
    Key West 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Key West and Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Key West
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)


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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Cocoa Beach vs. Key West Travel Comparison

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