A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Asheville for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Jacksonville or Asheville?

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 Jacksonville and Asheville. 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Asheville

Asheville is a outdoorsy, progressive, and open-minded mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and hiking.

Jacksonville and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Asheville, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Jacksonville is more popular for its museums, food, beaches, and big city activities, while Asheville is known for its music, resorts, historical sights, hiking, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Asheville is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. Jacksonville is popular for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also home to Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Jacksonville is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Jacksonville is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Jacksonville. 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.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Asheville have excellent vibes after the sun sets.

Jacksonville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

The people in Asheville know how to have a good time. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Asheville has diverse options. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Resorts?

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

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Jacksonville for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Asheville. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Shoppers can find a variety of excellent stores in both Jacksonville and Asheville.

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.

Asheville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Asheville is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a decent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Families?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

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 Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Couples?

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

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

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 Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

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

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

Jacksonville is a good destination for its public transit. However, Asheville is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Jacksonville or Asheville a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Asheville are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Asheville is somewhat walkable. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Asheville. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Asheville than Jacksonville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Jacksonville 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 Asheville.

One day in Jacksonville or Asheville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Jacksonville. 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.

In Asheville, many people enjoy the live music and food that this outdoorsy mountain town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Asheville?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Jacksonville. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Five days in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Jacksonville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the eclectic destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or Asheville?

Jacksonville 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.

Asheville is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Asheville, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Asheville?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Asheville, 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 Jacksonville or Asheville?

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 Jacksonville or Asheville in the Summer?

Both Asheville and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In July, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 82°F (28°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Asheville. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Asheville. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Asheville. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Asheville in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Asheville. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Jacksonville is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Asheville. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in January than Asheville. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 68°F (20°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Asheville. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Jacksonville