Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Cocoa Beach?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Nags Head. 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 is a fun-filled, relaxing, and adventurous beach town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.
It's also popular because of the food.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. Also, Cocoa Beach is famous for the Kennedy Space Center. Nags Head is well known for
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nags Head and Cocoa Beach. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Cocoa Beach is great for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.
Cocoa Beach offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.
Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.
Cocoa Beach is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its local cuisine and restaurants.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Cocoa Beach. 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.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
If you're looking for night time activities Cocoa Beach has a few options to choose from. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.
Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.
Cocoa Beach has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.
Nags Head is not a resort destination.
Cocoa Beach is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Cocoa Beach is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Cocoa Beach. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.
Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Cocoa Beach is an amazing beach town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is a very family-friendly destination. 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.
Nags Head is a very kid-friendly beach town. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.
Cocoa Beach is great for romance. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its romantic activities.
Cocoa Beach is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.
Nags Head makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.
Nags Head is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Cocoa Beach is lacking in good options for backpackers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.
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.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have public transit.
While Cocoa Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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).
Nags Head does not have public transit.
Cocoa Beach is a popular place for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Cocoa Beach is somewhat walkable. 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.
Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Both Cocoa Beach and Nags Head have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Cocoa Beach. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 4-7 days is enough time in Nags Head.
Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Nags Head. 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 Nags Head. 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 Cocoa Beach than Nags Head 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 Cocoa Beach.
You'll find shopping and museums around the beach town of Cocoa Beach. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer. This beach town offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. This offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find nightlife and food around the fun-filled beach town of Cocoa Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach town has to offer.
Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
Cocoa Beach is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Visitors enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this .
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.
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 Nags Head is $149. 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 Nags Head in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Nags Head? 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.
Also for Cocoa Beach, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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.
For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cocoa Beach:
When comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Nags Head, we can see that Nags Head is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Nags Head Expensive?.
Cocoa Beach has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Nags Head, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Nags Head. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Nags Head. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cocoa Beach in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Nags Head averages at about 78°F (26°C).
Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Nags Head. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Nags Head. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene.
In October, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 77°F (25°C), and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Nags Head. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.
Both Nags Head and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.
Nags Head can be very cold during winter. Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Nags Head in the winter. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 63°F (17°C) in January, and Nags Head fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Nags Head and Cocoa Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months.
In the spring, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cocoa Beach in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Nags Head averages at about 59°F (15°C).
Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in April than Nags Head. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.
Cocoa Beach | Nags Head | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 63°F (17°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 inches (171 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 inches (183 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
Oct | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Nov | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Dec | 64°F (18°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |