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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Houston?

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 Houston. 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. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.

Jacksonville and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Houston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston than Jacksonville, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Houston is more popular for its music and big city activities, while Jacksonville is known for its food, beaches, and shopping. Jacksonville is popular for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Jacksonville different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both Houston and Jacksonville.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. 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.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

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

Jacksonville is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Jacksonville. 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.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Houston 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 Houston know how to have a good time. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Music?

Houston 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 Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Jacksonville is not a live music destination.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

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.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Houston?

Jacksonville is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Jacksonville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Families?

Houston is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

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 Houston Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Houston both good 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.

Houston is a nice destination for couples. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Jacksonville or Houston Better for Students?

Both Jacksonville and Houston are good 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.

Houston is popular with students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Jacksonville is a good destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Jacksonville or Houston a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

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

Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Houston?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Houston 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 Houston?

In Jacksonville, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Each neighborhood in Houston has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. 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 Houston?

In Jacksonville, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jacksonville has to offer.

Houston is a fun place to experience. 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 Houston?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the southern big city of Houston. 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 Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Houston is a popular place to visit. 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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Jacksonville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Jacksonville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Jacksonville 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Jacksonville.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Jacksonville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Houston, 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 Houston?

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 Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In July, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 82°F (28°C), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Houston. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Houston. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Houston. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Jacksonville usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

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

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Houston. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Houston and Jacksonville