Should you visit Jacksonville or Wilmington?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Jacksonville and Wilmington. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Wilmington
Wilmington is a port city in southeastern North Carolina. It's a great city to visit for it's nearby beaches, large historic district, and quaint atmosphere. The city has a population of about 115,000 and it's the eighth largest city in the state.
Wilmington is also home to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as well as the EUE Screen Gems Studios. This is the largest domestic television and movie production facility outside of California. The studio, which opened in 1984, helped grow Wilmington into a major base for film and television production. The city has been the backdrop for many movies and tv shows including Iron Man 3, Sleepy Hollow, One Tree Hill, and Revolution.
Which city is cheaper, Wilmington or Jacksonville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Jacksonville is $176, while the average daily cost in Wilmington is $163. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Jacksonville and Wilmington in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Jacksonville, $148 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Jacksonville, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is $74, such as in a hostel.
The prices for places to stay in Wilmington can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $96, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $192.
Food
The price of a meal in Jacksonville can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $77 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $31 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
Wilmington food costs typically run travelers around $45 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Jacksonville $77
Wilmington $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Progressive Dinner in Jacksonville for 2 to 6 People:
$300
Local Transportation
Jacksonville's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $43 per person, per day on transportation in Jacksonville.
To get around in Wilmington, the average visitor spends $38 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jacksonville
Also for Jacksonville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Port Canaveral:
$658
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Private transfer: Jacksonville to Jacksonville Airport (JAX):
$622
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Private transfer: Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville:
$622
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Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport:
$457
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Private Transfer from Jacksonville to Orlando (MCO) Airport:
$453
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$328
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Private Jacksonville to Orlando Transfer up to 11-One Price-Mercedes Sprinter:
$300
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JAX Airport Transfer to St Augustine:
$215
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Jacksonville City to Jacksonville Airport (JAX) - Departure Private Transfer:
$164
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Jacksonville Airport (JAX) to Jacksonville City - Arrival Private Transfer:
$164
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JAX Airport Transfer to Ponte Vedra Beach:
$149
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JAX Airport Transfer to Jacksonville Beach:
$129
Is it cheaper to fly into Jacksonville or Wilmington?
Prices for flights to both Wilmington 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Jacksonville can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $16 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
In Wilmington, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $14 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Jacksonville
For Jacksonville, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Half-Day City Tour in Downtown Jacksonville:
$55
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Jacksonville Residential Architecture & History Tour:
$55
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Public Art Tour in Jacksonville:
$60
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Ride From Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
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Ride To Jax Port Cruise Terminal:
$60
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The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Jacksonville spend on average $16 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Wilmington, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $31.
Sample the Local Flavors in Jacksonville
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Jacksonville:
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Jax Urban Core Brewery Tour in Jacksonville:
$48
When comparing the travel costs between Jacksonville and Wilmington, 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.
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