A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Jacksonville vs. Key Largo for Families, Food, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Jacksonville or Key Largo?

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 Key Largo. 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 lively, youthful, and fun city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Key Largo

Key Largo is a relaxed, peaceful, and family-friendly island. As it is a quaint destination, it has a nice vibe. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling and beaches.

Jacksonville and Key Largo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Key Largo are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Key Largo attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and quaint atmosphere. Key Largo is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its snorkeling and scuba diving including that around John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the artificial reef around the USS Spiegel Grove. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Key Largo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is great for its historical sights. However, Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Key Largo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Jacksonville is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Key Largo offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the rest of the Florida Keys, Key Largo is known for its Key Lime pie and seafood. You'll find a great selection of restaurants that serve seafood dishes and options for the land-loving crew. There are even a few international restaurants to choose from.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is great for its evening party scene. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Jacksonville for the nightlife scene. 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.

Most people don't head to Key Largo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. This area is not known for its nightlife, so you'll need to head further south if partying is your style.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Resorts?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Key Largo to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, Reefhouse Resort & Marina, and Largo Resort.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Key Largo is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Key Largo. Near this island you'll find some of the best snorkeling and diving in the Florida Keys at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There are private tours that head out to the reef for either snorkeling or diving. There are also shipwrecks and other fascinating spots to explore.

Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is great for the beach. Also, Key Largo is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its beaches.

The beaches at Jacksonville attract visitors from all over. 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.

Key Largo offers a nice beach destination. Many of the beaches around Key Largo are man-made, but they do offer nice sand and beautiful blue water. The water is turquoise, although not as striking as further south.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Jacksonville is great for its shopping areas. However, Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Jacksonville. 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.

Key Largo is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Families?

Key Largo 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, Key Largo is very family-friendly. This area has some of the best family-friendly snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. There's also several places where your kids can interact with dolphins or experience wildlife. If you want to get out on the water, there's kayaking, sunset cruises, and glass bottom boats, all of which are great for the whole family.

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 Key Largo Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Key Largo both nice 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.

Key Largo is a nice destination for couples. Most couples head further down the Florida Keys, but for snorkeling and scuba diving, Key Largo is the better option. You'll also find kayaking and sunset cruises that leave from the area.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for backpackers.

Jacksonville is a good city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Key Largo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This area is a bit more affordable than the more southern keys so it appeals to budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Key Largo is not popular with students.

It's common for students to 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.

Key Largo is not popular with students.

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

Jacksonville is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Jacksonville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Key Largo. There's no real public transit around the island and you must have a car to get around.

Is Jacksonville or Key Largo a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Key Largo is not a good destination for its walkability.

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

Key Largo is not a walkable city. It is a sprawling area that spreads out along a main highway that is not pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key Largo or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Both Jacksonville and Key Largo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Key Largo than in Jacksonville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 5-7 days is enough time in Key Largo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than Key Largo. 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 Key Largo 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 Key Largo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Jacksonville. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this beautiful island offers. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Key Largo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun destination of Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Key Largo is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Jacksonville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In Key Largo, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling that this family-friendly destination offers. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

A week in Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Key Largo is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 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 Key Largo, we can see that Jacksonville 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 Key Largo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Key Largo?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Key Largo. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Key Largo, 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 Key Largo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key Largo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Key Largo. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Key Largo because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key Largo this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

Key Largo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key Largo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Key Largo. The autumn months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is cooler than Key Largo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Key Largo averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key Largo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 275 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Key Largo. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in October than Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key Largo in the Winter?

Both Key Largo and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Key Largo for the cuisine.

In January, Jacksonville is generally much colder than Key Largo. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Key Largo fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Key Largo. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Key Largo during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Key Largo receives 243 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key Largo in the Spring?

Both Key Largo and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Key Largo in the spring for the beaches.

Jacksonville is cooler than Key Largo in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Key Largo fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Key Largo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key Largo receives 300 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets less rain in April than Key Largo. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Key Largo receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Key Largo and Jacksonville