Which city is cheaper, Virginia Beach or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Virginia Beach for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Jacksonville or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach?
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.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. It's a popular beach destination and has many of the characteristics of most southeastern beach towns. There are many activities that you can enjoy and there's a concrete boardwalk that runs parallel to the water for about three miles. The boardwalk is a fun place to walk or bicycle. The beach itself is wide and sandy and is a great place to soak up some sun. During the summer months and school holidays it can get quite crowded and you might struggle to find a place for your towel and beach chairs. There are also many beach side resorts that line the water front. Most have pools and hot tubs where you can relax and some hotels have indoor pools as well, which can be nice during the cool winter months.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJacksonville $176Virginia Beach $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, while the average daily cost in Virginia Beach is $104. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Virginia Beach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJacksonville $74Virginia Beach $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJacksonville $148Virginia Beach $120
Compare Hotels in Jacksonville and Virginia Beach
Looking for a hotel in Jacksonville or Virginia Beach? 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.
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 Virginia Beach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jacksonville $43Virginia Beach $31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral: $658
- Private transfer: Jacksonville to Jacksonville Airport (JAX): $622
- Private transfer: Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville: $622
- Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $457
- Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $328
- Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter: $300
- JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine: $215
- Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer: $164
- Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer: $164
- JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach: $149
- JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach: $129
Typical Local Transportation prices in Virginia Beach
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Virginia Beach:
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Beach Parking$10
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Virginia Beach?
Prices for flights to both Virginia Beach 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
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Food Meals for one dayJacksonville $77Virginia Beach $25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jacksonville $16Virginia Beach $17
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville: $55
- Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour: $55
- Public Art Tour in Jacksonville: $60
- Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal: $60
- Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal: $60
- The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures: $37
Tours and Activities in Virginia Beach
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Virginia Beach.
- All-Inclusive, Autumn Weekend Tour for GROUPS of 10-16: $5,901
- RIDE ALONG GREEK GODS & AQUATISM *Certified Tours*: $75
- Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour: $62
- Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours: $62
- Sunset Stand Up Paddleboard Tour of Linkhorn Bay: $41
- Tour of Virginia Beach (half day), for GROUPS of 10-16: $499
- Tour of Virginia Beach, for GROUPS of 10-16: $831
- Haunted Walking Ghost Tour: $22
- Wetland Zip Tour: $61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJacksonville $16Virginia Beach $8.51
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
- Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Virginia Beach, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach.
When is the best time to visit Jacksonville or Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Virginia Beach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Temperatures in Jacksonville average around 82°F (28°C), and Virginia Beach stays around 79°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.
Virginia Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyJacksonville 82°F (28°C)Virginia Beach 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Virginia Beach. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area.
Jacksonville is a little warmer than Virginia Beach in the autumn. The temperature in Jacksonville is usually 70°F (21°C) in October, and Virginia Beach stays around 62°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberJacksonville 70°F (21°C)Virginia Beach 62°F (16°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Virginia Beach in the Winter?
Both Virginia Beach and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.
It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. In the winter, Jacksonville is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January are around 53°F (12°C), and Virginia Beach is about 39°F (4°C).
Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryJacksonville 53°F (12°C)Virginia Beach 39°F (4°C)
Should I visit Jacksonville or Virginia Beach in the Spring?
Both Virginia Beach and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Temperatures in Jacksonville average around 68°F (20°C), and Virginia Beach stays around 58°F (14°C).
In Virginia Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun.
Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Virginia Beach. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilJacksonville 68°F (20°C)Virginia Beach 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Jacksonville
| Jacksonville | Virginia Beach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
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