Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Gainesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Gainesville or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Kailua-Kona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Gainesville or Kailua-Kona?
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Gainesville Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGainesville $267Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $267, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gainesville and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGainesville $115Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGainesville $230Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Gainesville or Kailua-Kona? 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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Gainesville $39Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Gainesville 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 dayGainesville $121Kailua-Kona $100
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Gainesville $43Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
- 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGainesville $49Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Gainesville Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Kailua-Kona?
Gainesville has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Kailua-Kona, 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 Gainesville or Kailua-Kona?
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 Gainesville or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the family-friendly experiences.
Gainesville is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in Gainesville. In July, Gainesville usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGainesville 81°F (27°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Gainesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
In the autumn, Gainesville is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
Gainesville usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGainesville 71°F (22°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Gainesville for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Gainesville is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGainesville 54°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Gainesville or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Kailua-Kona.
Gainesville is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGainesville 69°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Gainesville
| Gainesville | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.