A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Jacksonville vs. Saint Petersburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg?

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 Saint Petersburg. 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.

Where Should I go: Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg?

Jacksonville

As the sky above you darkens, the city around you glows with a vividness of a thousand colors as you hear the soft swell of waves upon the shore. Such an urban paradise is none other than Jacksonville, Florida. Located on the northeastern side of the sunshine state, Jacksonville stands where the St. John's River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Estimated to be the 12th most populous city in the United States, Jacksonville works as the cultural, commercial and financial hive of north Florida. The large city is known for its exquisite beaches, interactive museums, and golf course areas. Surf, shop, and socialize in one of Florida's most popular metropolitan areas.

Saint Petersburg

Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.

Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Jacksonville?

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 Saint Petersburg is $204. 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 Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jacksonville $92
    Saint Petersburg $127
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jacksonville $184
    Saint Petersburg $254
Compare Hotels in Jacksonville and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg? 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.

Hotels in Jacksonville


Hotels in Saint Petersburg


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Jacksonville Hotel Prices and Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jacksonville $53
    Saint Petersburg $47

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville

Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Carnival Cruise Port Transfer to Jacksonville: $344
  • JAX Airport Transfer to Amelia Island: $195
  • JAX Airport Transfer to Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront: $147
  • Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jacksonville $96
    Saint Petersburg $49

Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jacksonville $20
    Saint Petersburg $13

Tours and Activities in Jacksonville

For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Jacksonville Ghosts and Ghouls Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
  • 2-Flights Indoor Skydiving Experience in Jacksonville: $91
  • 90 Minute Self-Guided Arcimoto FUV Adventure: $100
  • Amelia Island Area Kayak Rental on Lofton Creek with Adventures Up The Creek: $36
  • Amelia Island Guided Kayak Tour of Lofton Creek : $60
  • Best of the Beaches E-Bike Tour: $100
  • Big Talbot Island Self Guided Tour with Smart Helmets: $100
  • CraigCat Boat Tour from Fernandina Beach: $145
  • Downtown Fernandina Historical Walking Tour: $30
  • Eight Flags Road Tour: $50
  • Electric Bike Art and Architecture Guided Tour in Jacksonville : $60
  • Electric Bike Tours in Amelia Island: $100

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jacksonville $20
    Saint Petersburg $41

Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:

  • Jacksonville Yes, Queen! Tour Drag Queen Pub Crawl: $36


When comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Saint Petersburg, 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.

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg?

Jacksonville is bigger, and its population is about 3.2 times larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the population of Jacksonville vs. Saint Petersburg, 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg?

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 Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Saint Petersburg.

In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jacksonville 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Saint Petersburg.

In October, Jacksonville is generally cooler than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 234 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in October than Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jacksonville 70°F (21°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Jacksonville is cooler than Saint Petersburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Petersburg during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jacksonville 53°F (12°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Jacksonville or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

Both Saint Petersburg and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit.

In the spring, Jacksonville is cooler than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Saint Petersburg, 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 Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 299 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in April than Saint Petersburg. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jacksonville 68°F (20°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Jacksonville

Jacksonville Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Jacksonville vs. Saint Petersburg Travel Comparison

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