Should you visit Jacksonville or Austin?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Austin. 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.
Austin
Located in the Texas Hill Country, Austin is the capital city of the state. It is a relatively small city with a compact downtown area and many sprawling suburbs stretching out along the interstate. Austin prides itself on its eclectic culture and alternative vibe which is epitomized by the city's unofficial slogan "Keep Austin Weird." The University of Texas at Austin is also located downtown. The school's large student population helps give the city a youthful feel with a lively nightlife and no shortage of activities on weekends. The city is also the self proclaimed live music capital of the country. As such, it has many music venues and bars, most of which are clustered around the 6th Street area downtown. There are also many free outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months.
Which city is cheaper, Austin 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 Austin is $114. 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 Austin 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.
A hotel room in Austin is about $90 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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.
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Austin for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Austin $28
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Austin
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Austin.
-
Austin Food Tour by Bus with Live Band On Board:
$93
-
Austin Beer and Food Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Private Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin:
$103
-
East Austin Urban Farms & Brewery Food Tour by Bike:
$106
-
Wood Fired Dinner Series at the Austin Winery:
$159
-
Secret Food Tour of Downtown Austin w/ Private Tour Option:
$221
-
Secret Food Tour:
$288
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 Austin is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $38 per person, per day, on local transportation in Austin.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Airport to Hotel Jacksonville Private Transfer:
$125
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island:
$129
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Downtown Jacksonville:
$97
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
-
JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
-
JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
-
Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
-
Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
-
Jacksonville Private Transfer - Hotel to Airport:
$125
-
Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
-
Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Austin
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Austin:
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Transfer from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to Austin:
$109
-
Private Departure Transfer to Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Austin Transfer: Hotel to Airport:
$114
-
Private Austin Transfer: Airport to Hotel:
$128
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Austin Bergstrom Airport AUS:
$40
-
Private Airport and Hotel Transfer Services in Austin:
$86
-
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport One Way Transfer:
$69
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
-
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
-
Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Austin?
Prices for flights to both Austin 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.
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 Austin typically cost an average of $22 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 Austin
Here are a few typical costs in Austin for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Austin
Here are a few actual costs in Austin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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48-Hour Austin Hop-On Hop-Off Blue Line City Tour:
$45
-
Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Adventure:
$62
-
Austin Capital Photo Tour:
$21
-
Austin City Landmarks and Taco Tour by Bike:
$97
-
Austin Digital Private Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$11
-
Austin E-Bike Tour:
$69
-
Austin Electric Bike Tour: Let it Ride:
$71
-
Austin Electric Minibike Adventure Tour:
$77
-
Austin Famous Ghost and Bat Segway Tour:
$59
-
Austin Indoor Skydiving Experience with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate:
$81
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$33
-
Austin Like a Local: Customized Guided Tour:
$30
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Austin may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $23 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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 Austin
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Austin:
-
Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl:
$12
-
More than a Pub Crawl:
$24
-
Haunted Austin Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Tours through East Austin via Motorized Pedicab:
$40
-
Austin Pedicab Brewery Tour with Beer Flights Included Option:
$46
-
The Brew Bus: Austin Brewery Tour with Live Band:
$81
-
Half-Day Craft Beer and Brewery Tour:
$82
-
Private Texas Hill Country Half-Day Wine Tour from Austin:
$140
-
Texas Hill Country Wine Tour by Limousine:
$175
-
Customizable Austin Distillery and Brewery Tour:
$206
-
Half-Day Brewery and Craft Beer Tour in Austin with Tastings:
$240
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Austin, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Austin.
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