Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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.
Jacksonville is a under-rated, lively, and youthful city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food. See Jacksonville travel costs.
Charleston is a picturesque, charming, and southern coastal town. With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Charleston travel costs.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Charleston than Jacksonville. While Jacksonville is larger than Charleston, Charleston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Charleston is very popular for its food, music, resorts, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Jacksonville attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and big city activities. Charleston is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its historic city market, low-country cuisine, Civil War history, and antebellum houses. It is also well known for The Waterfront Park. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charleston and Jacksonville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Jacksonville is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal 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.
Charleston is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. The plantations are open to visit and will educate you on the city's past, which is heavily involved in slavery. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.
Charleston is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.
Eat your way through Charleston, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. There are many local restaurants in town that serve southern specialties. You can also head a bit out of the town center if you want a waterfront restaurant. Local favorites include she-crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. 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.
Jacksonville is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Charleston is not as famous, but is still a good coastal town to visit for nightlife.
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.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene. Head to the areas near the college for the most affordable and active nightlife. Popular clubs in town include Cure Night Club, Deco Nightclub, and Mynt.
Charleston 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 Charleston. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.
Jacksonville is not a live music destination.
Charleston is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.
Charleston has a few great resort options. The town has mostly hotels and bed and breakfasts in the downtown area, but nearby Kiawah Island has a number of nice resorts to choose from. Kiawah Island is particularly kid-friendly if you're looking for a family beach vacation. If you have a bit more money to spend and want something more residential, check out nearby Seabrook Island.
Jacksonville is not a resort destination.
Jacksonville and Charleston both offer great beaches.
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.
Charleston is considered a top beach destination. The area has a number of beautiful and fun nearby beaches including Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, and Seabrook Island. Folly Beach is an active and quirky beach area, while Kiawah is more family-friendly. Seabrook is more residential and more expensive.
Charleston is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.
The old town of Charleston is one of the most recognized in the world. Charleston's downtown is one of the most charming and well preserved Old Town's in the United States. It's easy to see why it's become a world class destination.
Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.
Charleston is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.
Many people travel to Charleston specifically to go shopping. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town, particularly along King Street, which has boutiques and high end outlets. Outside of town, stop by Tanger Outlet Mall if you want name brands at a discount price.
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.
Charleston is an excellent place to visit for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.
Since it has plenty to do, Charleston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. During the Christmas season there are a number of festivals, light shows, and even a boat parade that everyone can enjoy.
Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.
Charleston is a good destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.
Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Charleston. Marion Square hosts Christmas Markets on weekends throughout the holiday season.
Jacksonville does not offer Christmas markets.
Charleston is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.
With stunning beauty, Charleston attracts visitors from all around. The charming history, beautiful architecture, and historic churches all make this city one of the most beautiful in the southern United States.
Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.
Both Jacksonville and Charleston are nice family-friendly destinations.
Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. 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.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Charleston. The city has a number of family-friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. There's also an aquarium, a waterfront park, and many kid-friendly museums. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.
Charleston is renowned for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Charleston is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful city is one of the most popular wedding destinations in America. It's a very romantic setting with beautiful hotels and bed and breakfasts that are perfect for couples on their honeymoon or looking for a romantic setting.
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.
Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal 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.
Charleston is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Hotels in the old town tend to be pricey and there isn't the backpacker community that you find in many other destinations. Still, there are a couple of hostels.
Both Jacksonville and Charleston are nice destinations for students.
Plenty of students visit Jacksonville. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.
Charleston is popular with students. The city is a college town with a young vibe that is perfect for students. There's a nice university area where you'll find cheaper places to eat and a good nightlife scene.
Jacksonville is a nice place to visit for its public transit. However, Charleston is a mediocre coastal 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 mostly limited in Charleston. While there are some buses, you really must have a car to fully experience the entire area.
Charleston 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.
Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.
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 Charleston Worth Visiting?.
Both Jacksonville and Charleston have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than in Jacksonville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 2-7 days is enough time in Charleston.
Families should spend more time in Charleston than Jacksonville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Charleston, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Charleston than Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Charleston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Charleston 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.
With museums and nightlife around the lively city of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Charleston, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this picturesque coastal town offers. 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.
With nightlife and food around the destination of Jacksonville, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Charleston is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.
Jacksonville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
In Charleston, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this southern destination offers. 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. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
Jacksonville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Charleston is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $289, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $212. 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.
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.
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.
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Charleston. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. 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.
Both Charleston 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 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. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.
Both Charleston 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 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.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Charleston. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. 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. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.
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) |