A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Jacksonville vs. Chapel Hill for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

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 Jacksonville and Chapel Hill. 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a fun, vibrant, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and museums. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is a student-oriented, collegiate, and southern town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Chapel Hill travel costs.

Jacksonville and Chapel Hill: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Chapel Hill are popular destinations, Jacksonville has more sights and attractions for tourists. Jacksonville is famous for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also well known for Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. Chapel Hill is famous for being the home of the oldest public university in the United States.

How is Jacksonville different from Chapel Hill?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

You'll find a number of superb museums and attractions in both Chapel Hill and Jacksonville.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jacksonville. The city has a number of museums that range from art museums to science or kid-friendly museums. Some favorites are the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society, and Kingsley Plantation.

Chapel Hill offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the museums are affiliated with UNC. A highlight of many trips is a visit to the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. Hours can vary, so check the schedule ahead of time. Also worth visiting are the Ackland Art Museum and the Carolina Basketball Museum.

Is the Food Better in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jacksonville is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Jacksonville is an experience not to be missed. Local cuisine has its own identity. Unique dishes around town include garlic crabs, seafood boil, gumbo, and shrimp and grits. The local cuisine is similar to Lowcountry dishes with a lot of Cajun influence. If you want something different from seafood, you should try the barbecue.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chapel Hill. Students often eat on Franklin Street, which has a diverse mix of casual and slightly nicer restaurants. You'll find Indian food, Mediterranean, Italian, and Greek. The city also has excellent barbecue and other southern favorites.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Chapel Hill have superb vibes after the sun sets.

Jacksonville has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The young population brings out the nightlife scene. There's a great concentration of bars and clubs in the area known as The Elbow, which is at the intersection of N. Ocean and E. Bay Street. You'll find plenty of cocktail bars, lounges, and clubs around town that make for a fun night out.

The people in Chapel Hill know how to have a good time. Most of the nightlife is centered around the student population. Franklin Street has a number of bars where students hang out. There are also parties hosted by fraternities and sororities. Things are quieter during the summer months when students are mostly gone.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is well known for the beach. However, Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Jacksonville is considered a top beach destination. There are a number of beaches that are just a short distance from the city. Some have a historic vibe while others are more lively. Atlantic Beach is about a half hour drive from the city. For a laid back vibe head to Neptune Beach and the most popular beach in the area is Jacksonville Beach.

Chapel Hill is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Jacksonville is well known for its shopping areas. Also, Chapel Hill is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Jacksonville. There are countless malls and shopping districts around town. Some of the best shopping is found at St. John's Center, Five Points, and Avondale.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chapel Hill. There are a mix of local shops, larger shopping centers, and suburban malls. There are also weekly farmer's markets that are fun to check out.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Chapel Hill are nice family-friendly destinations.

Jacksonville is a family-friendly city. It's filled with adventure parks, zoos, animal farms, nature centers, and gardens. Adults will have as much fun as kids exploring the city and all of its family-friendly attractions.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Chapel Hill. You can wander around the UNC campus or visit one of the museums affiliated with the school. This includes a planetarium that has regular shows and movies (The Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). There are also science exhibits geared specifically towards kids.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Chapel Hill both nice destinations for a couple.

Jacksonville is a good city for couples to visit. It's a young city that's near nature and has plenty of adventurous activities. There's sailing, botanical gardens, restaurants, and plenty of bars around town.

Chapel Hill is a nice destination for couples. There's an eclectic mix of restaurants on Franklin Street. Couples will also enjoy exploring the campus at UNC, visiting the botanical garden, or checking out one of the town's museums.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a popular place for backpackers. However, Chapel Hill is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jacksonville. There are a few hostels in town as well as affordable motels. The city has a young population with plenty to do. Although it's often overlooked by tourists, there's a surprising and underrated appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Chapel Hill is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a young population thanks to the university, but there's little else to attract backpackers.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Students?

Chapel Hill is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Chapel Hill is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a quintessential college town. UNC has a nice campus and Franklin Street is the main spot for restaurants and shopping. Most of the students live near or on campus, but once you head further out things get more suburban.

Jacksonville is popular with students. There are a few colleges and universities in town. The city's population is also very young, making it a great place to study.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Jacksonville and Chapel Hill.

Jacksonville has some public transit options. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

You'll find some public transit in Chapel Hill, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are bus routes that operate between Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Is Jacksonville or Chapel Hill a more walkable city?

Jacksonville and Chapel Hill are nice when it comes to walkability.

Jacksonville is a somewhat walkable city. Downtown Jacksonville is the most walkable part of the city.

Chapel Hill is somewhat walkable. The area around UNC is the most walkable part of town. Elsewhere things are very suburban and you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Jacksonville Worth Visiting? and Is Chapel Hill Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Chapel Hill or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Chapel Hill. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than Chapel Hill. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Chapel Hill.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Jacksonville than Chapel Hill 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the youthful city of Jacksonville. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

In Chapel Hill, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this collegiate town offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this town.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the lively destination of Jacksonville. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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.

Chapel Hill is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

The youthful city of Jacksonville offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the collegiate destination of Chapel Hill. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Chapel Hill is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

Jacksonville has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chapel Hill. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Chapel Hill, 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 Jacksonville or Chapel Hill?

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 Jacksonville or Chapel Hill in the Summer?

Both Chapel Hill and Jacksonville during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chapel Hill for the family-friendly experiences.

Jacksonville is around the same temperature as Chapel Hill in the summer. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

In Chapel Hill, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the summer, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 259 hours of full sun.

Chapel Hill gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Chapel Hill in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jacksonville and Chapel Hill. Many travelers come to Jacksonville for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chapel Hill in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Jacksonville is a little warmer than Chapel Hill. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jacksonville in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Chapel Hill averages at about 61°F (16°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chapel Hill this time of the year. In Jacksonville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chapel Hill during autumn. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Chapel Hill in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Chapel Hill. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Chapel Hill for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Chapel Hill can be very cold during winter. In January, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Chapel Hill. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 53°F (12°C), and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In the winter, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chapel Hill receives 162 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Chapel Hill in the Spring?

Both Chapel Hill and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Jacksonville for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Chapel Hill in the spring. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Chapel Hill fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Chapel Hill. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jacksonville. Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Chapel Hill during spring. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Chapel Hill receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Chapel Hill. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Chapel Hill receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Chapel Hill and Jacksonville