A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Pensacola vs. West Palm Beach for Resorts, Beaches, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and West Palm Beach can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a fun-filled, active, and entertaining beach town. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a diverse, vibrant, and fun-filled beach area. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and nightlife.

Pensacola and West Palm Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Pensacola than West Palm Beach. While West Palm Beach is larger than Pensacola, Pensacola has more sights and attractions for tourists. Pensacola is very popular for its museums, food, hiking, and shopping, while West Palm Beach attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Pensacola is more touristy than West Palm Beach and is popular for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. It is also well known for Gulf Islands National Seashore. West Palm Beach is famous for its nice resorts, a lively boardwalk, great seafood, and fun watersports.

How is Pensacola different from West Palm Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between West Palm Beach and Pensacola. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Pensacola is a popular place for its historical sights. However, West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Pensacola is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

West Palm Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Pensacola or West Palm Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Pensacola is a great beach town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, West Palm Beach is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Pensacola. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in West Palm Beach. Oceanfront restaurants usually have a great view and offer local and fresh seafood. There are also many local restaurants concentrated around Clematis Street and CityPlace districts.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Nightlife?

West Palm Beach is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its evening party scene.

West Palm Beach has plenty to do after the sun goes down. With rooftop bars and clubs, oceanfront venues, and plenty of nightlife options downtown, this city rivals most places when it comes to nightlife. The nightlife scene is particularly active during spring break, when university students head to town.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Resorts?

West Palm Beach is a world-class destination for its resorts. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its luxury resorts.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, West Palm Beach is a perfect choice. All of the major names are present including the Hilton, Marriott, and Four Seasons.

Pensacola is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

West Palm Beach is notable for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pensacola is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There is a nice variety of marine life that makes scuba diving and snorkeling great in West Palm Beach. Check out Phil Foster Park in Rivera Beach. It's a man-made reef that is surprisingly clear.

Pensacola is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Beaches?

Pensacola and West Palm Beach are world-class choices for a beach vacation.

With world-famous beaches, Pensacola is a very popular vacation destination. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

The beaches in West Palm Beach are among the best in the world. From bustling beaches with a boardwalk to quieter, more relaxing beaches surrounded by parkland, there are are number of options in the area.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is adequate for hiking. However, West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Pensacola has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

West Palm Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Pensacola is a popular place for shopping. However, West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Pensacola. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

West Palm Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Pensacola or West Palm Beach.

Pensacola is a very kid-friendly beach town. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in West Palm Beach. Animal lovers will appreciate the zoos and aquariums in the area. Check out McCarthy's Wildlife Sanctuary, Manatee Lagoon, the Palm Beach Zoo, and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Couples?

Both Pensacola and West Palm Beach are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Pensacola is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

West Palm Beach makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy kayaking, dining out, or simply relaxing on the beach. It's fun to spend a day exploring the botanical gardens and an evening wandering around Clematis Street.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

West Palm Beach is very good for its public transit. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

West Palm Beach has a few public transit options. There's a downtown trolley, a commuter trail line (connecting West Palm Beach, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), and a bus system with about 30 lines.

Public transit is quite limited in Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Is Pensacola or West Palm Beach a more walkable city?

West Palm Beach is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for its ease of walking around.

West Palm Beach is a somewhat walkable place. West Palm Beach has a surprisingly walkable area and it's possible to explore the downtown area on foot.

Pensacola is generally not a very walkable beach town. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

For even more information, also check out Is Pensacola Worth Visiting? and Is West Palm Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in West Palm Beach or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Both Pensacola and West Palm Beach have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in West Palm Beach than Pensacola. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in West Palm Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Pensacola than West Palm Beach 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 Pensacola.

One day in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

The fun-filled destination of Pensacola offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beach area of West Palm Beach. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

The beach town of Pensacola offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the diverse destination of West Palm Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This beach area offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

Pensacola is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This beach town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the diverse beach area of West Palm Beach. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this beach area makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this beach area has to offer.

A week in Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

The active beach town of Pensacola offers museums and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

West Palm Beach is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in West Palm Beach, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pensacola and West Palm Beach, we can see that West Palm Beach is more expensive. And not only is Pensacola much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pensacola would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pensacola 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 West Palm Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in West Palm Beach than you might in Pensacola.

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

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

West Palm Beach has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Pensacola. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola and West Palm Beach, 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 Pensacola or West Palm Beach?

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 Pensacola or West Palm Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as West Palm Beach. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to West Palm Beach because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Pensacola is generally around the same temperature as West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 82°F (28°C), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in West Palm Beach. Pensacola receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pensacola usually gets more rain in July than West Palm Beach. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 6.5 inches (166 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pensacola or West Palm Beach in the Autumn?

Both West Palm Beach and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Pensacola is cooler than West Palm Beach in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in West Palm Beach. It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In October, Pensacola usually receives less rain than West Palm Beach. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 8.7 inches (222 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Pensacola is June to November. The hurricane season in West Palm Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Pensacola or West Palm Beach in the Winter?

Both West Palm Beach and Pensacola during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to West Palm Beach for the cuisine.

In the winter, Pensacola is much colder than West Palm Beach. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pensacola in January average around 51°F (10°C), and West Palm Beach averages at about 65°F (19°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pensacola. Pensacola usually gets more rain in January than West Palm Beach. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pensacola or West Palm Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and West Palm Beach. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to West Palm Beach in the spring for the beaches.

In April, Pensacola is generally cooler than West Palm Beach. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 67°F (20°C), and West Palm Beach fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In April, Pensacola usually receives around the same amount of rain as West Palm Beach. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while West Palm Beach receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola. June to November is the hurricane season in West Palm Beach.

Typical Weather for West Palm Beach and Pensacola