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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Key West?

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 West. 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 fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Key West

Key West is a quirky, eclectic, and bustling town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Jacksonville and Key West: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Key West?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Key West are both popular with visitors, Jacksonville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jacksonville is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Key West is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, historical sights, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Key West is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for its festive nightlife, quirky town center, colorful personality, adrenaline-filled watersports, stunning beaches, turquoise water, and location at the southernmost point of the continental U.S. Jacksonville is popular for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also home to Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

How is Jacksonville different from Key West?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is notable for its sights and museums. However, Key West does not have museums and landmarks.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 West does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Jacksonville is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Key West is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Key West is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, be the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Key West have superb 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 Key West know how to have a good time. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Key West to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts around the island, many with recognizable names such as the Hyatt and Hilton. Prices can be high, but these resorts often come with reliable luxury.

Jacksonville is not a resort destination.

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

Key West is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Key West. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.

Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville and Key West both offer superb 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.

Key West is considered a top beach destination. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for its Old Town?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Key West. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Key West?

Jacksonville is notable for its shopping opportunities. However, Key West is a mediocre town 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.

Key West has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. While it definitely has its share of gimmicky souvenir shops and t-shirt stores, there are still a number of art galleries and local shops around Key West where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for Families?

Key West 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 Key West. Families that enjoy snorkeling, aquariums, water sports, and exploring new places will enjoy visiting this part of the Florida Keys. There are many ways to get out on the water from kayaking and snorkeling to glass bottom boat tours and sunset cruises. There are also many kid-friendly beaches in the area. The town can have a party atmosphere, but it's not hard to find a more family-friendly area where everyone can have fun.

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 West Better for Couples?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Key West makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. From Mallory Square to the beautiful nearby parks, Key West makes a wonderful, romantic destination. Whether it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, or simply a couples' retreat, Key West is a great option. You can sip wine on a sunset cruise or dine at one of the many character-filled restaurants in town. If you are looking for a party, it's not hard to find, but if you want a more laid back holiday, that's also possible.

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.

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

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Key West is a mediocre town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

Key West is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Key West is a pretty expensive destination, but there are Airbnbs and even a hostel or two that cater to budget backpackers.

Is Jacksonville or Key West Better for Students?

Key West is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students visit Key West. It's a great spring break destination with a quirky personality and many great activities.

Jacksonville is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

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

Jacksonville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Key West is a mediocre 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 quite limited in Key West. Public transportation in Key West is limited to a few buses.

Is Jacksonville or Key West a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Key West are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Key West is somewhat walkable. The town is the most walkable part of the Florida Keys. The area around Mallory Square and Duval Street is the most pedestrian friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Key West or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Key West?

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

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

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

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

The city of Jacksonville offers food and shopping. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Key West, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this lively 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.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Key West?

Jacksonville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Jacksonville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Key West 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 West?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Key West, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quirky 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.

A week in Jacksonville or Key West?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Key West 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 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Key West, we can see that Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Key West?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Key West, 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 West?

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 Key West in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Key West. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Key West for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Key West. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than Key West. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key West in the Autumn?

Both Key West and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Key West in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Jacksonville is cooler than Key West in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Key West fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Key West during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Key West. In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Key West. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November. The hurricane season in Key West is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key West in the Winter?

Both Key West and Jacksonville during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Jacksonville is much colder than Key West. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Key West averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Key West. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than Key West. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Key West in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Key West. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Key West because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Jacksonville is generally cooler than Key West. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 68°F (20°C), and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Key West during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Key West. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville. June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.

Typical Weather for Key West and Jacksonville