A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Beaufort for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Jacksonville or Beaufort?

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 Beaufort. 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 under-rated, lively, and youthful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Beaufort

Beaufort is a historic, character-filled, and southern town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Jacksonville and Beaufort: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Beaufort?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Beaufort, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Beaufort is more popular for its historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Beaufort is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its Lowcountry cuisine and historic homes. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Beaufort?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Beaufort 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 Beaufort?

Jacksonville is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Jacksonville can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

Beaufort offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town's museums highlight the region's past. There are four popular museums that you can visit - the Beaufort History Museum, Parris Island Museum, Verdier House Museum, and York W. Bailey Museum.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Jacksonville and Beaufort.

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Beaufort makes for a great culinary experience. Soak up the charming atmosphere by dining at one of the local restaurants. Many serve Lowcountry cuisine which includes She-crab soup, fried green tomatoes, shrimp burgers, and barbecue.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is notable for nightlife. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for nightlife and partying.

Jacksonville has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Beaufort. You'll find bars, grills, and taverns in town, but most people don't visit for the nightlife scene.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is notable for its beaches. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beache.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Jacksonville. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Beaufort. The town has a nice waterfront, but you have to head about half an hour out of town for a real beach. One of the best options is Hunting Island State Park.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for its Old Town?

Beaufort is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Beaufort. Historic homes, some that were built before the Civil War, offer a glimpse into the past. Beaufort is the second oldest town in South Carolina and it holds on to much of its charm and character.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Beaufort?

Jacksonville is notable for shopping. Also, Beaufort is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beaufort. Head downtown for some souvenir shopping or to check out the art galleries or fashion boutiques.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for Families?

Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for its kid-friendly activities.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Beaufort is not always a place people visit with their families. There are parks and outdoor activities in the area, but one of the best options is to head out of town to the beach.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for Couples?

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

Beaufort makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many charming and romantic spots around town as well as historic inns where you can stay. Couples will enjoy the waterfront area or exploring one of the nature parks that are nearby. There are also quaint local restaurants that make for a nice date night.

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 Beaufort Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Beaufort is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't any real places for backpackers to stay in the area.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for students. However, Beaufort is not popular with students.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for 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.

Beaufort is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Beaufort is a mediocre town for times when you don't have a car.

Jacksonville has a few public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is quite limited in Beaufort. There is no reliable public transportation system in the area.

Is Jacksonville or Beaufort a more walkable city?

Beaufort is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Beaufort is a very walkable destination. The quaint downtown is walkable and offers easy access to art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Beaufort or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Beaufort?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Beaufort. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than Beaufort. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Beaufort.

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

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

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

One day in Jacksonville or Beaufort?

The city of Jacksonville offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Beaufort is a small town where visitors enjoy the shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Beaufort?

Jacksonville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jacksonville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Beaufort is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Beaufort?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Beaufort is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Beaufort?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Beaufort is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Beaufort, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Beaufort much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Beaufort would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beaufort 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 Beaufort.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Beaufort?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Beaufort. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Beaufort, 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 Beaufort?

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 Beaufort in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Beaufort. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Beaufort. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Beaufort averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beaufort. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Beaufort receives 267 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Beaufort. Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in July than Beaufort. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Beaufort in the Autumn?

Both Beaufort and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Beaufort because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Beaufort. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Beaufort fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Beaufort. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Beaufort during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beaufort. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Beaufort in the Winter?

Both Beaufort and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beaufort this time of year.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Beaufort in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Beaufort fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

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

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than Beaufort. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Beaufort in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Beaufort. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Beaufort for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Beaufort. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Beaufort averages at about 67°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beaufort 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 Beaufort during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Beaufort receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Beaufort. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Beaufort receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Beaufort and Jacksonville