A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Jacksonville vs. Tampa for Food, Nightlife, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Tampa?

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 Tampa. 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. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food and beaches. See Tampa travel costs.

Jacksonville and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Tampa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville than Tampa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jacksonville is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Tampa attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Jacksonville different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Jacksonville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Jacksonville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville and Tampa both offer superb beaches.

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.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Tampa?

Jacksonville is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Families?

Tampa 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 Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Couples?

Jacksonville is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options 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.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa 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.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Students?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with 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.

Tampa is not popular with students.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Jacksonville is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Jacksonville or Tampa a more walkable city?

Jacksonville is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

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

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

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

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Tampa?

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

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

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

In Jacksonville, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this fun destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Tampa, many people enjoy the food that this laid-back city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Jacksonville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Tampa is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Tampa?

Jacksonville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Jacksonville. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food around the laid-back destination of Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Tampa?

You'll find food and shopping around the youthful destination of Jacksonville. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tampa is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Tampa?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Tampa, 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 Tampa?

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 Tampa in the Summer?

Both Tampa and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. It's quite rainy in Jacksonville. In July, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Tampa. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Tampa in the Autumn?

Both Tampa and Jacksonville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is cooler than Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets less sunshine than Tampa. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in October than Tampa. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Tampa in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Tampa. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months.

In January, Jacksonville is generally cooler than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Jacksonville or Tampa in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Tampa. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets more rain in April than Tampa. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Jacksonville.

Typical Weather for Tampa and Jacksonville