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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Boston?

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 Boston. 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a traditional, classic, and proud city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. 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 theater, nightlife, and live music.

Jacksonville and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Boston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Boston than Jacksonville. While Jacksonville is larger than Boston, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is better known for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Jacksonville is more popular for its beaches and shopping. Boston is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. Also, Boston is famous for The Freedom Trail. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Jacksonville different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Boston has many famous sights for visitors. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for its shows and theatre. However, Jacksonville is not a theatre destination.

Boston offers many theater and performance venues for visitors. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Jacksonville is not a theatre destination.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Jacksonville and Boston.

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, Boston makes for a great culinary experience. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Boston 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 Boston know how to have a good time. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a good destination for its music scene. However, Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is notable for its beaches. However, Boston is a mediocre city for the beache.

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.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Boston is one of the most recognized in the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Boston?

Jacksonville is notable for shopping. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Christmas?

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

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is an excellent place to visit for visiting Christmas markets. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston has a lively atmosphere around its Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Boston is very family-friendly. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

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 Boston Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Boston both notable destinations for a couple.

Jacksonville is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Boston is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville and Boston are both notable destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Jacksonville or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Boston is a very popular place to visit for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

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 Boston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boston is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Boston has a great public transit system. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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 Boston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Boston or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Boston?

In either Jacksonville or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Jacksonville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Jacksonville or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Boston?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the museums. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Jacksonville or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Boston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the museums. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Jacksonville or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the under-rated destination of Jacksonville. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston 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 comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Boston, we can see that Boston 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Boston?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Boston. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

In the summer, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. 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 Boston. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Boston. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Boston during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Boston. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Boston can get quite cold in the winter. Jacksonville is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Boston. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Boston. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Boston. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Jacksonville is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Boston during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Boston. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Boston and Jacksonville