Which place is cheaper, Nags Head or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Nags Head. 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 fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.
It's also popular because of the food.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Jacksonville than Nags Head, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Jacksonville is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Nags Head is well known for
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nags Head and Jacksonville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Jacksonville is great for its historical sights. However, Nags Head 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.
Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.
Jacksonville is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its local cuisine and restaurants.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.
Jacksonville is great for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy 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.
Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Jacksonville is great for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Jacksonville is great for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.
Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Nags Head 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 Nags Head. It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.
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.
Jacksonville and Nags Head both notable 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.
Nags Head is a nice destination for couples. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.
Jacksonville and Nags Head are both notable destinations for backpackers.
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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Nags Head. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.
Jacksonville is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nags Head 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.
Nags Head is not popular with students.
Jacksonville is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have 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.
Nags Head does not have public transit.
Jacksonville is a popular place for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.
Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Both Jacksonville and Nags Head have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nags Head than in Jacksonville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 4-7 days is enough time in Nags Head.
Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than Nags Head. 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 Nags Head 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.
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 Nags Head, many people enjoy the food that this offers. 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.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the lively 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.
Nags Head is a fun place to experience. 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.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun 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 Nags Head, many people enjoy the food that this destination offers. 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 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.
Nags Head is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. 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 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $220, while the average daily cost in Nags Head is $149. 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 Nags Head in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or Nags Head? 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:
Prices for flights to both Nags Head 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.
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Nags Head, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Nags Head.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Nags Head Expensive?.
Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 250 times larger than the population of Nags Head. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Nags Head, 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 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Nags Head. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Nags Head. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Nags Head averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head 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 Nags Head during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 274 hours of full sun in the summer.
Nags Head receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Nags Head. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Nags Head. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Nags Head fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 205 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville usually gets less rain in October than Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.
Both Nags Head and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months.
Nags Head can be very cold during winter. Jacksonville is much warmer than Nags Head in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Nags Head fluctuates around 41°F (5°C).
Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Nags Head during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Nags Head receives 147 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. In January, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Nags Head and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Nags Head. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Nags Head averages at about 59°F (15°C).
In Nags Head, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nags Head receives 262 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Nags Head. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Nags Head receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.
Jacksonville | Nags Head | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) |
Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) |
Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |