Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona. 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 Kailua-Kona?
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.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJacksonville $220Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $220, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJacksonville $92Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJacksonville $184Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Jacksonville and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona? 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.
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 Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jacksonville $53Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 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
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $123
- JAX Airport Transfer to Hyatt Place/ St. Johns Town Center: $164
- JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island: $195
- Carnival Cruise Port Transfer to Jacksonville: $336
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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
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Food Meals for one dayJacksonville $96Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1 Hour of Chocolate Pizza Making Class in Jacksonville: $18
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jacksonville $20Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 20 Minutes Chocolate & Candy Factory Tour in Jacksonville: $6.00
- 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
- 1-Hour Escape Room Adventure: $41
- Self-Guided Kayaking: Real Florida Adventure: $45
- Self Guided Family Friendly Kayak Rental Experience Old Florida : $48
- Eight Flags Road Tour: $50
- Electric Bike Tour with Free Application for Navigation: $50
- Guided Kayak Eco Tour: Real Florida Adventure: $55
- Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJacksonville $20Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
- Jax Brewery Tour (Drinks Included): $135
When comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona?
Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Kailua-Kona, 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 Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJacksonville 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona 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.
In October, Jacksonville is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJacksonville 70°F (21°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona 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.
Jacksonville is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJacksonville 53°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Kailua-Kona. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year.
In the spring, Jacksonville is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJacksonville 68°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Jacksonville
| Jacksonville | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.