Which city is cheaper, Tallahassee or Key West?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Key West vs. Tallahassee for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Key West or Tallahassee?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Key West or Tallahassee? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Key West or Tallahassee?
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
Tallahassee
As the skyscrapers glow against the rose-tinged sunset, you find yourself astounded by the tropical metropolitan area of Tallahassee, Florida. Known as the capital city of the state, Tallahassee is the hub of Floridian politics and history, holding Florida State Capitol, Supreme Court of Florida, Florida Governor's Mansion, and nearly 30 state agency headquarters within its borders. To add to its importance, in 2015, Tallahassee was given the All-American City Award by the National Civic League for a second time. Despite all the city's historical and political accomplishments, Tallahasse is also known to attract a wide array of tourists looking to explore the beauty of Florida. From wild refuges to busy shopping districts to Florida State University, Tallahassee is a great place to be in Florida.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKey West $441Tallahassee $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $441, while the average daily cost in Tallahassee is $125. 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 Key West and Tallahassee in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKey West $106Tallahassee $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKey West $212Tallahassee $142
Compare Hotels in Key West and Tallahassee
Looking for a hotel in Key West or Tallahassee? 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: Key West Hotel Prices and Tallahassee Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Key West $41Tallahassee $26
Typical Local Transportation prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Airport Transfer in Key West, Florida: $209
- Round-Trip Transfer: Fort Lauderdale to Key West: $198
- Private Arrival Transfer: Key West Airport to Hotel: $116
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Key West Airport: $116
- Miami & One-Way Transfer by Motor Coach Bus: $54
- Key West International Airport One Way Transfer: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallahassee
Also for Tallahassee, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Tallahassee Transfer: Hotel to Airport: $116
- Private Tallahassee Transfer: Airport to Hotel: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Key West or Tallahassee?
Prices for flights to both Tallahassee and Key West 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 dayKey West $308Tallahassee $38
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise with Tropical Buffet: $68
- Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar: $90
- Private Secret Food Tour of Key West: $103
- Secret Food Tour of Key West w/ Private Tour Option: $221
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Key West $26Tallahassee $9.71
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- 2 Hour Private Highlights of Key West Walking Tour: $99
- 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise around Key West: $200
- 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise on Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $457
- 4-Hour Private Sand Bar Cruise on a Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $565
- 6th Sense Haunted Tour of Key West: $25
- Adults only Champagne Celebration Sunset Cruise from Key West: $79
- All-Inclusive Water Adventure Excursion in Key West: $129
- Booze Cruise Key West Private Charter: $248
- Cultural Walking Tour of Key West with Food and Drink Tastings: $240
- Do It All Watersports Adventure with Lunch: $148
- Easy Stroll Audio Tour Downtown Key West: $7.99
- Florida Keys Afternoon Reef Snorkel & Sail Adventure: $69
Tours and Activities in Tallahassee
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tallahassee.
- The Best of Tallahassee Walking Tour: $498
- Guided tour "Love Stories of Tallahassee": $498
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKey West $13Tallahassee $42
Sample the Local Flavors in Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $23
- Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl of Key West: $34
- Key West Pub Crawl: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Key West and Tallahassee, we can see that Key West is more expensive. And not only is Tallahassee much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallahassee would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallahassee 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West than you might in Tallahassee.
When is the best time to visit Key West or Tallahassee?
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.
Should I visit Key West or Tallahassee in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Tallahassee. Many visitors come to Key West in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Key West is around the same temperature as Tallahassee. Typically, the summer temperatures in Key West in July are around 84°F (29°C), and Tallahassee is about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tallahassee. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Tallahassee. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallahassee receives 283 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tallahassee. Key West usually gets less rain in July than Tallahassee. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 8.9 inches (227 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKey West 84°F (29°C)Tallahassee 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Key West or Tallahassee in the Autumn?
Both Tallahassee and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Key West is generally a little warmer than Tallahassee. Temperatures in Key West average around 80°F (27°C), and Tallahassee stays around 69°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in Tallahassee. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tallahassee during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Tallahassee receives 256 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Tallahassee. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKey West 80°F (27°C)Tallahassee 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Key West or Tallahassee in the Winter?
Both Tallahassee and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Key West because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Key West is much warmer than Tallahassee in the winter. The temperature in Key West is usually 70°F (21°C) in January, and Tallahassee stays around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than Tallahassee. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallahassee receives 185 hours of full sun.
Key West usually gets less rain in January than Tallahassee. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 3.7 inches (95 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKey West 70°F (21°C)Tallahassee 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Key West or Tallahassee in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Tallahassee. The beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Key West this time of year.
In the spring, Key West is a little warmer than Tallahassee. Typically, the spring temperatures in Key West in April are around 77°F (25°C), and Tallahassee is about 67°F (19°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tallahassee this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Tallahassee during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Tallahassee receives 295 hours of full sun in the spring.
Tallahassee receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Tallahassee. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Tallahassee receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKey West 77°F (25°C)Tallahassee 67°F (19°C)
Typical Weather for Tallahassee and Key West
| Key West | Tallahassee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (168 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 8.9 inches (227 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (175 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.7 inches (169 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 60°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
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