Should you visit Jacksonville or Anchorage?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Anchorage. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites and also as a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains. From the sparkling waters of Cook Inlet to the tallest peaks of the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage encompasses incredible adventures and metropolitan appeals that are larger than life. With 1,500 moose, incredible national parks nearby and 60 glaciers a short drive away, it's a dream destination in Alaska.
Which city is cheaper, Anchorage or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, while the average daily cost in Anchorage is $153. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Anchorage in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Jacksonville, $148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Jacksonville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $74, such as in a hostel.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Anchorage is $186. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Local Transportation
Jacksonville's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $43 per person, per day on transportation in Jacksonville.
The cost of a taxi ride in Anchorage is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Anchorage.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Downtown Jacksonville:
$97
-
Airport to Hotel Jacksonville Private Transfer:
$125
-
Jacksonville Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport:
$125
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island:
$129
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
-
Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
-
JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
-
Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Anchorage
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Anchorage:
-
Private Transfer: Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) to Anchorage:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Seward Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$292
-
Private Transfer: Anchorage to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC):
$622
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport ANC to Seward Cruise Port:
$292
-
Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port:
$209
-
Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC):
$54
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC:
$54
-
Anchorage accommodation to Anchorage Airport (ANC) - Departure Private Transfer:
$34
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$771
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Seward Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$386
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$67
-
Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Anchorage accommodation - Arrival Private Transfer:
$34
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Anchorage?
Prices for flights to both Anchorage and Jacksonville 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
The price of a meal in Jacksonville can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $77 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $31 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Anchorage travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Anchorage $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
Typical Food prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of dining costs in Anchorage are as follows:
-
Bread
$4.25
-
Breakfast for Two
$17
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jacksonville can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Entertainment and activities in Anchorage typically cost an average of $24 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
-
Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
-
Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
-
Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
-
Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
-
Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
Typical Entertainment prices in Anchorage
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Anchorage are as follows:
-
1 Day Bike Rental
$33
-
1/2 Day Rafting Trip
$105
Tours and Activities in Anchorage
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Anchorage are as follows:
-
2 Hour eBike Adventure along Tony Knowles, Chester Creek Trails and Cook Inlet:
$120
-
30 Minute Flightseeing Tour from Girdwood:
$326
-
9 Day Alaska Wildlife Tour w. Bear+Whale Viewing, 2 Nat'l Parks, Boutique Hotels:
$5,985
-
Alaska 7-Day Brown Bears and Denali Adventure from Anchorage:
$5,899
-
Alaska Crafted Tour and Railroad Adventure:
$339
-
Alaska Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing - 60 mins:
$390
-
Alaska Helicopter and Glacier Dogsled Tour:
$527
-
Alaska Native Historic Cultural City Tour of Anchorage:
$59
-
Alaska Wildlife Day Tour with Free Hotel Pickup:
$105
-
Alaska Wildlife Tour:
$99
-
Alaska: 7-Day Brown Bear and Denali National Park Adventure:
$5,899
-
Alyeska Tram - A Self-Guided Tour:
$99
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $16 on alcoholic beverages in Anchorage per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
-
Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
Sample the Local Flavors in Anchorage
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Anchorage:
-
Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings:
$115
-
Anchorage Bike and Brewery Tour:
$219
-
Alaska Brewery and Railroad Experience from Anchorage:
$349
When comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Anchorage, we can see that Jacksonville 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.
Related Articles for Jacksonville
Related Articles for Anchorage
