A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Cocoa Beach vs. Charlottesville for Families, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

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 Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville. 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.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a relaxing, adventurous, and fun-filled beach town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a collegiate, southern, and proud university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and hiking. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Cocoa Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cocoa Beach is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also home to the Kennedy Space Center. Charlottesville is popular for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Cocoa Beach. The town's proximity to the Kennedy Space Center is a big appeal for space enthusiasts. It's easy to take advantage of the great beaches and then spend a day exploring the space center. Also in town is the Florida Surf Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Seafood is the obvious choice in this beach town. Head to Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier for some great restaurants. In addition to seafood options, you'll find steakhouses, bistros, and pizza shops.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cocoa Beach. You'll find a number of casual pubs, bars, and grills around town where you can grab a drink in a relaxed setting.

Charlottesville has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Cocoa Beach makes a nice vacation spot. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Cocoa Beach for it's beautiful beaches. There are long stretches of sand that are great for swimming, surfing, water sports, or just relaxing in the sun. The most popular area is around Cocoa Beach Pier. For family-friendly, head to James H. Nance Park which also has a playground. If you have a dog, Canova Beach Park is your best option.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Cocoa Beach does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville has an old town worth visiting. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Cocoa Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Cocoa Beach is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cocoa Beach. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Cocoa Beach is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Cocoa Beach is very family-friendly. It's right by the Kennedy Space Center, which is a great excursion for kids and adults alike. There's also the Brevard Zoo, amazing beaches, and great parks where the kids can run around.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town if you're traveling as a couple. Beautiful beaches, fun outdoor activities, and great date night activities make this a wonderful couples destination.

Charlottesville is a good beach town for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Charlottesville is a very popular place to visit for students. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Cocoa Beach is not popular with students.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Cocoa Beach is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Charlottesville is not known for its public transit.

While Cocoa Beach offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can hop on the Cocoa Beach Trolley to access many sights in the area. It's a service provided by the Space Coast Area Transit (SCAT).

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known for its ease of walking around.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable place. For the most walkable areas stay near the town center. In general, you'll want to have a car to access most of what the area has to offer though.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Cocoa Beach Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Charlottesville. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Charlottesville 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 Cocoa Beach.

One day in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

The fun-filled destination of Cocoa Beach offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

The beach town of Cocoa Beach offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

Because Charlottesville is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cocoa Beach. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Since Charlottesville is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

Charlottesville has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville, 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 Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville?

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 Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Charlottesville. The summer months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In July, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Charlottesville. The shopping scene are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Charlottesville. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Charlottesville can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Cocoa Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets less rain in April than Charlottesville. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Cocoa Beach is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Cocoa Beach