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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping.

Jacksonville and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Phoenix?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Jacksonville, Jacksonville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Jacksonville different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Jacksonville is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a great city for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Jacksonville has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great city for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Phoenix?

Jacksonville is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Phoenix are nice family-friendly destinations.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Phoenix. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix 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, Phoenix is not known 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 generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Jacksonville or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Phoenix. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than Phoenix. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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.

In Phoenix, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this desert city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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 museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

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.

Phoenix 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 comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Jacksonville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

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

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Jacksonville is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix 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 Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Jacksonville is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Jacksonville usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is cooler than Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Jacksonville