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

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix. 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 adventurous, fun-filled, and relaxing beach town. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Cocoa Beach travel costs.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a laid back, sprawling, and desert city. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Phoenix travel costs.

Cocoa Beach and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cocoa Beach. Although Cocoa Beach and Phoenix are popular destinations, Cocoa Beach has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cocoa Beach is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, and beaches, while Phoenix attracts visitors for its hiking. Cocoa Beach is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its wonderful surfing waves and its proximity to the Kennedy Space Center. It is also well known for the Kennedy Space Center. Phoenix is famous for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Cocoa Beach different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Cocoa Beach has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Cocoa Beach and Phoenix.

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.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Cocoa Beach has a few great resort options. There are casual and family-friendly resorts in the area that make for a nice beach vacation.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches at Cocoa Beach attract visitors from all over. 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

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

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Cocoa Beach is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Cocoa Beach and Phoenix.

Cocoa Beach has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find lots of great local shops as well as malls and beach stores where you can pick up everything you need.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Families?

Cocoa Beach is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Cocoa Beach is an extremely popular beach town to visit for families. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Cocoa Beach is a great beach town for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Cocoa Beach or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Cocoa Beach is a beach town with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Cocoa Beach is a somewhat walkable beach town. 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Cocoa Beach?

How long in Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cocoa Beach and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cocoa Beach than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Cocoa Beach, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Cocoa Beach than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Cocoa Beach, you'll find nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This beach town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the sprawling city of Phoenix. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

In Cocoa Beach, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cocoa Beach has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Phoenix. This city 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 Phoenix?

Cocoa Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cocoa Beach has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

The laid back city of Phoenix offers shopping and museums. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cocoa Beach. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Cocoa Beach. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cocoa Beach or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Cocoa Beach. When comparing the sizes of Cocoa Beach and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Phoenix. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Phoenix. Cocoa Beach is cooler than Phoenix in the summer. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

Cocoa Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Phoenix. The autumn months attract visitors to Cocoa Beach because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

In the autumn, Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Phoenix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cocoa Beach in October average around 77°F (25°C), and Phoenix averages at about 79°F (26°C).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cocoa Beach is generally a little warmer than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 63°F (17°C), and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In January, Cocoa Beach usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Cocoa Beach during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches.

Cocoa Beach is around the same temperature as Phoenix in the spring. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Cocoa Beach