Which place is cheaper, Jacksonville or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Fort Lauderdale vs. Jacksonville for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale 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.
Where Should I go: Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville?
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, not far from Miami, and is famous for its beaches and boating culture. An elaborate system of canals runs through the city, adding to the charm and coastal lifestyle. Plenty of restaurants, shops, watersports, and other things to do can be found here in addition to the beautiful beaches. The city is family-friendly and also caters to older travelers as well as younger generations. While it's not an inexpensive place to visit, the prices are on par with other cities in southeastern Florida. The beach is lined with high-rise condos and hotels that tend to be expensive, while a few blocks back from the shore you'll find plenty of nice houses along with shops, restaurants, and fun activities for all ages. And since Fort Lauderdale is part of the Miami metro area, you can easily get to all of the other beach areas, cities, and activities in the nearby metropolitan areas as well.
Jacksonville
As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFort Lauderdale $182Jacksonville $220
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $182, while the average daily cost in Jacksonville is $220. 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 Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFort Lauderdale $96Jacksonville $92
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFort Lauderdale $192Jacksonville $184
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville? 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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices and Jacksonville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fort Lauderdale $51Jacksonville $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:
- Transfer: FLL Airport to Fort Lauderdale Area Vice Versa: $80
- Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami Hotel or Port: $199
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) -City: $40
- Roundtrip Transfer Private Car Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL)-City: $80
- Private Transfer in Fort Lauderdale (FLL & FXE) Airport/Home/Hotel/Work : $59
- Private Transfer from Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Miami : $165
- Private Transfer To/From Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port : $80
- Port Everglades to Miami Airport (MIA) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Port Everglades to Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) - Departure Private Transfer : $40
- Port Everglades Private Transfer from Las Olas Beach Area: $60
- Miami Airport and Seaport Private Transfer (up to 14 passengers): $54
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport: Car Transfer to Miami: $123
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carnival Cruise Port Transfer to Jacksonville: $335
- JAX Airport Transfer to Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront: $147
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville?
Prices for flights to both Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale 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 dayFort Lauderdale $49Jacksonville $96
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:
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Quick Lunch$12
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
- Hollywood Florida Walking Food Tour : $89
- Craft Food Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $99
- Craft Food Tour in Fort Lauderdale Beach: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fort Lauderdale $15Jacksonville $20
Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale
Here are a few actual costs in Fort Lauderdale for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale (arrive 30 minutes early): $25
- 2 Hours Electric Bike Experience on Ft Lauderdale: $40
- 60 min Guided Electric Bike Tour of Fort Lauderdale.: $59
- 90 min Guided Electric Bike Tours of Greater Fort Lauderdale: $79
- 90-Minute Parasailing Adventure in Fort Lauderdale : $85
- 90-Minute Snorkel & Seabob Underwater Guided Reef Tour in Fort Lauderdale: $150
- Air Boat Tour of Palm Beach in The Swamp Monster: $150
- Atlantic Ocean Snorkeling Experience: $79
- BEST Miami, Key West and Fort Lauderdale 4-Day Tour from Miami : $790
- Carrie B Venice of America Fort Lauderdale Sightseeing Tours: $30
- Champagne Sunset Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale: $85
- Comedy Segway Tour Music Edition: $85
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jacksonville Ghosts and Ghouls Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $29
- Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour: $30
- Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek: $36
- The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $41
- 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $41
- Self-Guided Kayaking: Real Florida Adventure: $45
- Self Guided Family Friendly Kayak Rental Experience Old Florida : $45
- Eight Flags Road Tour: $50
- Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure: $55
- Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $60
- Electric Bike Guided Tour in Jacksonville Art and Architecture : $60
- Florida Wildlife Guided Airboat Adventure: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFort Lauderdale $33Jacksonville $20
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
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Beer$7.30
Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
- Pedibus Pub Crawl in Fort Lauderdale: $59
- Party Bike Bar Crawl: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
Which is Bigger, Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville?
Jacksonville is bigger, and its population is about 4.7 times larger than the population of Fort Lauderdale. When comparing the population of Fort Lauderdale vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville?
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 Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Jacksonville. The summer months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally around the same temperature as Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the summer, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 286 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale receives a lot of rain in the summer. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in July than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyFort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C)Jacksonville 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville in the Autumn?
Both Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year.
Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Jacksonville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Fort Lauderdale averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Jacksonville fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Jacksonville during autumn. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 214 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. In October, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberFort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C)Jacksonville 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville in the Winter?
Both Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Jacksonville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January average around 67°F (20°C), and Jacksonville averages at about 53°F (12°C).
It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Jacksonville receives 191 hours of full sun.
Fort Lauderdale usually gets less rain in January than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryFort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C)Jacksonville 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Jacksonville. Daily temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Jacksonville fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Jacksonville during spring. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies, while Jacksonville receives 285 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Jacksonville. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Jacksonville receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilFort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C)Jacksonville 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale
| Fort Lauderdale | Jacksonville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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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