Which place is cheaper, San Antonio 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 San Antonio. 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 youthful, fun, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.
San Antonio is a cultural, colorful, and festive city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and shopping.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Jacksonville than San Antonio. While San Antonio is larger than Jacksonville, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while San Antonio is more popular for its music, historical sights, and impressive beauty. San Antonio is more touristy than Jacksonville and is popular for being the home to the Alamo, the popular RiverWalk area, and several world-class amusement parks. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. Also, Jacksonville is famous for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Antonio and Jacksonville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
You'll find a number of excellent museums and attractions in both San Antonio and Jacksonville.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.
San Antonio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. It is known for its role in American history, and the city is famous as the location of the Alamo. It's also where you'll find the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park & Mission Trail, the San Antonio Museum of Art, Witte Museum, and the Guinness World Records Museum, among others.
Jacksonville is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Jacksonville makes for a great culinary experience. 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.
San Antonio has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a mix of amazing and authentic Mexican food, simpler Tex Mex, and a number of Hill Country specialties. The city is filled with comfort food and the restaurants reflect the diverse character of the population. Popular local dishes include tacos, sweet potato fries, and chicken fried steak.
Jacksonville is a great destination for nightlife. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.
The people in Jacksonville know how to have a good time. 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 San Antonio has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife scene is diverse, with dance halls, breweries, and clubs. It has seen a recent boom in dance clubs, so there are plenty of places to party hard, or to have a more relaxing night out. The RiverWalk is at the heart of the city's nightlife scene, particularly for tourists. Many conferences stay at hotels near the RiverWalk, so it's not uncommon to see professionals out and about after a day of networking.
San Antonio is a good destination for its music scene. However, Jacksonville is not a live music destination.
You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in San Antonio. It's worth checking out The Aztec Theater, Sam's Burger Joint, and 502 Bar.
Jacksonville is not a live music destination.
Jacksonville is a great destination for its beaches. However, San Antonio is not a beach destination.
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.
San Antonio is not a beach destination.
San Antonio is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.
San Antonio has an old town worth visiting. The city is famous for its River Walk, which may feel slightly cheesy, but is still a unique and mesmerizing place to wander.
Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.
Jacksonville is a great destination for shopping. Also, San Antonio is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.
Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting San Antonio. From souvenir shops to local boutiques and chain stores, there are several shopping options around town. Check out the historic Market Square or the shops at Rivercenter for some of the city's most interesting shopping.
San Antonio is a good destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.
San Antonio worth visiting during the Christmas season. It's fun to see the lights along the River Walk at Christmas.
Jacksonville does not offer Christmas activities.
San Antonio is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, San Antonio is very family-friendly. The RiverWalk is a fun family-friendly area. There's also Six Flags, SeaWorld and the San Antonio Zoo as well as a number of museums and other amusement parks in the area. It's easy to spend days having a great family vacation in this area and you can combine history, culture, and entertainment all in one setting.
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 San Antonio 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.
San Antonio is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy taking a boat ride and exploring the many sites around town. The RiverWalk has many restaurants and a great atmosphere for a date night. There's also the botanical gardens and many outdoor spaces to explore.
Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.
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.
San Antonio is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While its not on most backpacker's lists, it does have a fun atmosphere and a social setting.
Both Jacksonville and San Antonio are notable destinations for students.
Plenty of students 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.
San Antonio is popular with students. There are a couple of colleges in the area. This is also a major conference destination so it's possible to network and meet other professionals.
Jacksonville is a good destination for its public transit. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options 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 mostly limited in San Antonio. Buses connect most of the city's tourist attractions, but you'll find life much easier if you have your own car.
Jacksonville is a good destination for its walkability. However, San Antonio is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.
Jacksonville is somewhat walkable. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.
San Antonio is generally not a very walkable city. If you stick to the downtown area you will be fine getting around on foot. Outside of that area, you'll need a car.
For even more information, also check out Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting? and Is San Antonio Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and San Antonio. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than San Antonio. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in San Antonio than Jacksonville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Antonio, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Jacksonville than San Antonio. 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 San Antonio 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun city of Jacksonville. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
In San Antonio, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fun destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.
San Antonio 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.
The under-rated city of Jacksonville offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
You'll find nightlife and live music around the colorful destination of San Antonio. 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.
Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
San Antonio 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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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 San Antonio is $132. 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 San Antonio in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or San Antonio? 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:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
Prices for flights to both San Antonio 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 some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and San Antonio, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jacksonville Expensive? and Is San Antonio Expensive?.
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Jacksonville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and San Antonio, 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 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.
Both San Antonio and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Jacksonville because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.
In the summer, Jacksonville is around the same temperature as San Antonio. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and San Antonio averages at about 87°F (31°C).
In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 307 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets more rain in July than San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and San Antonio. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as San Antonio. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and San Antonio fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio 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 San Antonio during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.
The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as San Antonio. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Antonio in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Jacksonville is around the same temperature as San Antonio in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and San Antonio fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Antonio receives 155 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville usually gets more rain in January than San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Antonio and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to San Antonio for the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Jacksonville is cooler than San Antonio. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and San Antonio averages at about 74°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in San Antonio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than San Antonio during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while San Antonio receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than San Antonio. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while San Antonio receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.
Jacksonville | San Antonio | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |