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

Should you visit Jacksonville or Raleigh?

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 Raleigh. 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. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Raleigh

Raleigh is a friendly, southern, and student-friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Raleigh travel costs.

Jacksonville and Raleigh: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Raleigh?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Raleigh. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Raleigh is famous for its many museums and being the home to North Carolina State University.

How is Jacksonville different from Raleigh?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

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.

Raleigh is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. As the state capital, there are a number of free museums in the area. There are also some kid-friendly options and other activities that are affiliated with the colleges and universities. Popular options include the NC Museum of Natural Sciences (free), the NC Museum of History (free), the NC Museum of Art (free), and Marbles Kids Museum.

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

Jacksonville is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Jacksonville is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Raleigh. In addition to the standard chain restaurants, you'll find a number of local eateries with great southern dishes. Try some southern classics like barbecue, pimento cheese, and fried chicken and waffles. There are also good international options including Nepalese, Laotian, and Ethiopian flavors.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Raleigh is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Jacksonville is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Raleigh has a few options to choose from. Head to downtown Raleigh or the areas around NC State University for some of the best nightlife. Trivia nights and happy hours are popular and you'll find breweries popping up in many places.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for the beach. However, Raleigh 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.

Raleigh is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Raleigh?

Jacksonville is well known for its shopping areas. However, Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Raleigh is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Raleigh 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 Raleigh. For such a small city, Raleigh has a number of unique kid-friendly activities like the popular Pullen Park and Marbles Kids' Museum. Pullen Park has small rides and a playground that are perfect for young kids. There's also the NC Museum of Natural History which is free and fun to explore with kids.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Couples?

Jacksonville is a popular place for couples. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for romance.

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.

Raleigh is not the best destination for a couple to visit. While it's often overlooked by couples who want a weekend away, there are a number of museums and some nice restaurants to explore.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Raleigh is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh Better for Students?

Raleigh 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 Raleigh. The city has a diverse student population with many nearby universities and colleges.

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 Raleigh Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is quite limited in Raleigh. The city's public transportation options are limited to a few bus lines that are mostly used by students.

Is Jacksonville or Raleigh a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Raleigh is not particularly known for its walkability.

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

Raleigh is generally not a very walkable city. The city is somewhat walkable in the downtown area, but everywhere else you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Raleigh or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Raleigh?

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

Families should spend more time in Jacksonville than Raleigh. 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 Raleigh. 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh, many people enjoy the food and museums that this southern city 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.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Raleigh?

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.

Raleigh 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 Raleigh?

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 nightlife and food around the student-friendly destination of Raleigh. 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 Raleigh?

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.

Raleigh 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 Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Raleigh, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Raleigh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Raleigh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Raleigh 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 Raleigh.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jacksonville Expensive? and Is Raleigh Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Raleigh?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Raleigh, 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 Raleigh?

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 Raleigh in the Summer?

Both Raleigh and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Raleigh for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Raleigh in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Raleigh fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 259 hours of full sun.

Raleigh gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Raleigh in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Raleigh. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Raleigh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Raleigh. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Raleigh averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Raleigh 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 Raleigh during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Raleigh in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Raleigh. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Raleigh for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Raleigh can be very cold during winter. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Raleigh. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Raleigh fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Raleigh receives 162 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Raleigh in the Spring?

Both Raleigh and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Raleigh in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Raleigh fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Raleigh. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Raleigh during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Raleigh receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Raleigh. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Raleigh receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Raleigh and Jacksonville