A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Charleston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Jacksonville or Charleston?

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 Charleston. 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.

Where Should I go: Jacksonville or Charleston?

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.

Charleston

Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.

Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Jacksonville?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $220, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $170. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Charleston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jacksonville $92
    Charleston $90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jacksonville $184
    Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Jacksonville and Charleston

Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or Charleston? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Jacksonville


Hotels in Charleston


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Jacksonville Hotel Prices and Charleston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jacksonville $53
    Charleston $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville

Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Carnival Port to Jacksonville Airport (JAX): $55
  • Jacksonville Airport JAX to Carnival Cruise Port-Arrival Transfer: $55
  • Carnival Cruise Port to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville Cruise Port -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Carnival Cruise Port Jacksonville to City - Arrival Transfer: $64
  • Carnival Cruise Port Jacksonville to Jacksonville, FL - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
  • Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
  • Carnival Cruise Port Jacksonville to Jacksonville - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $127
  • Marriott Jacksonville Downtown Transfer to JAX: $134
  • JAX Airport Transfer to Hilton Garden Inn Jacksonville Downtown Southbank: $147

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $59
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Cruise Port to Charleston city: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston City to Charleston Cruise Port: $55
  • Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $59
  • Private Transfer From/ to Charleston International Airport (CHS) : $50
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS): $64
  • Middleton Place Private Transfer from Charleston and Airport: $440
  • Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
  • Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
  • Charleston International Airport (CHS) - Private Round Trip transfer: $312

Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Charleston?

Prices for flights to both Charleston 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jacksonville $96
    Charleston $58

Typical Food prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:


  • Lunch in downtown Charleston for two
    $21
  • Breakfast
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.

  • Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $63
  • The Dinner Detective Mystery Dinner Show - Charleston, SC: $70
  • Charleston Food Tour: $75
  • Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $75
  • Charleston Brunch and Broad Walking Food Tour w/Secret Food Tours: $85
  • Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $86
  • Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
  • Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $95
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
  • Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $95
  • Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $95
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $103

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jacksonville $20
    Charleston $22

Tours and Activities in Jacksonville

For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Murray Hill Walking Mural Tour: $25
  • Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour: $30
  • Jacksonville Ghosts and Ghouls Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek: $36
  • The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $41
  • 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $41
  • Self-Guided Kayaking: Real Florida Adventure: $45
  • Eight Flags Road Tour: $50
  • Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure: $55
  • Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $60
  • Electric Bike Art and Architecture Guided Tour in Jacksonville : $60
  • Historic Amelia Island Scooter Gang Tour (14 and up): $65

Typical Entertainment prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:


  • Patriots Point (for 2)
    $60

Tours and Activities in Charleston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:

  • 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
  • 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
  • 2-Hour Weekday Private Harbor Cruise with Captain in Charleston: $450
  • 2-Hours Roaring 20s Premium Cocktail Walking Tour: $110
  • 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • 4 Hour Private Boat Tour: $1,000
  • 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $31
  • A tour to "Charleston Romance": $274
  • Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $55
  • Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
  • Boat rental and tours: $650
  • Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jacksonville $20
    Charleston $36

Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:

  • Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
  • Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
  • Women and Wine Tour: $20
  • Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
  • Charleston Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $34
  • Speakeasy Sagas - Charleston Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
  • Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
  • Holy City Homicide! Charleston's True Crime Pub Crawl: $35
  • Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
  • Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of the Market: $37

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Charleston?

Jacksonville is bigger, and its population is about 8.3 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the population of Jacksonville vs. Charleston, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Jacksonville or Charleston?

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 Charleston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Charleston. Additionally, most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Charleston in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Charleston fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charleston. 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 Charleston. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Charleston. Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in July than Charleston. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jacksonville 82°F (28°C) 
    Charleston 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charleston in the Autumn?

Both Charleston and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Charleston because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Charleston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Charleston averages at about 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charleston. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jacksonville 70°F (21°C) 
    Charleston 67°F (19°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charleston in the Winter?

Both Charleston and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

In January, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Charleston. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jacksonville 53°F (12°C) 
    Charleston 47°F (9°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charleston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Charleston. Also, many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Charleston in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Charleston fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

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

In April, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charleston. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jacksonville 68°F (20°C) 
    Charleston 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Charleston and Jacksonville

Jacksonville Charleston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 58°F (14°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 76°F (25°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 51°F (10°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Jacksonville vs. Charleston Travel Comparison

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