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

Should you visit Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a youthful, fun, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jacksonville. Although Jacksonville and Charlottesville are both popular with visitors, Jacksonville has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Jacksonville is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Charlottesville is known for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Jacksonville is popular for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area. It is also home to Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. 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 Jacksonville different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Jacksonville is a great city 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 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.

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 Jacksonville or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jacksonville is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jacksonville has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

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 Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

Jacksonville is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Jacksonville has something for everybody. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. 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 Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is a great city for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Jacksonville for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville does not have a historic old town.

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

Jacksonville is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Jacksonville is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville 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.

Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Both Jacksonville and Charlottesville are good 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 Charlottesville. 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 Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Jacksonville and Charlottesville both good 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.

Charlottesville is a nice destination for couples. 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 Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Jacksonville is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Charlottesville is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville Better for Students?

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

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

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

While Jacksonville offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

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

Is Jacksonville or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Jacksonville Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Jacksonville and Charlottesville. In our opinion, Jacksonville has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Jacksonville than Charlottesville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Jacksonville than Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville. 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 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 Jacksonville.

One day in Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

The vibrant destination of Jacksonville 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 where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

The city of Jacksonville 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 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 Charlottesville?

Jacksonville is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. 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 Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Jacksonville. 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.

Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Charlottesville?

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

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

In July, Jacksonville is generally around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

Charlottesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Jacksonville as well as Charlottesville. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Jacksonville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Jacksonville is a little warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 70°F (21°C) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 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 Jacksonville.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Jacksonville are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Jacksonville 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, Jacksonville is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Jacksonville in January average around 53°F (12°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°C).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Jacksonville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Charlottesville in the Spring?

Both Charlottesville and Jacksonville during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Jacksonville in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Jacksonville is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Jacksonville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Charlottesville. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Jacksonville