A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jacksonville vs. Vancouver for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Jacksonville or Vancouver?

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 Vancouver. 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. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Jacksonville travel costs.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a outdoorsy, scenic, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, hiking, and shopping. See Vancouver travel costs.

Jacksonville and Vancouver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

You'll generally find more things to do in Vancouver than Jacksonville. Vancouver is bigger than Jacksonville, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Vancouver is better known for its museums and attractions, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Jacksonville is more popular for its beaches. Vancouver is more touristy than Jacksonville and is known for its beautiful setting, sweeping views, and welcoming atmosphere. Also, Vancouver is famous for Stanley Park. Jacksonville is well known for its beautiful beaches and lively downtown area.

How is Jacksonville different from Vancouver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Vancouver is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Vancouver has many famous sights for visitors. There are tons of museums and sights around town such as the Vancouver Aquarium, the Museum of Anthropology, the Museum of Vancouver, and Science World. Also make sure you take a walk over the Capilano Suspension Bridge.

Jacksonville offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Jacksonville and Vancouver.

Jacksonville has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Vancouver makes for a great culinary experience. You'll find diverse restaurants and fresh ingredients. Local seafood is a staple in many restaurants so make sure you try the prawns, salmon, and even sea urchin. Asian food is also excellent around town. Sushi, Japanese hot dogs, and dim sum are all worth sampling.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Nightlife?

Both Jacksonville and Vancouver have excellent 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 Vancouver know how to have a good time. The city has a vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the activity is centered around The Granville Entertainment District in the downtown area. It runs along Granville Street between Robson Street and Davie Street. In the area you'll find a high concentration of bars and nightclubs.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Beaches?

Jacksonville is great for its beaches. However, Vancouver 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.

Vancouver is not a beach destination.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Hiking?

Vancouver is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Vancouver is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The city is surrounded by water and mountains, making it one of the best hiking cities in the world. You don't have to go far to enjoy spectacular vistas, serene rainforests, and rugged coastline. The trails range from casual strolls to more strenuous day long hikes.

Jacksonville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

Vancouver is renowned for its shopping areas. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Vancouver specifically to go shopping. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. You can enjoy strolling through Chinatown, hitting up a public market, or wandering around a large shopping mall.

Jacksonville is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver More Beautiful?

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Vancouver attracts visitors from all around. It sits between the Pacific Ocean and high reaching mountains, so the city offers spectacular views.

Jacksonville is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Families?

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Vancouver. There are great kid-friendly museums like the Science Museum, as well as outdoor markets, public parks, and easy access to the nearby nature. A visit to Grouse Mountain is a must for many families. You can see the bears, take a gondola, and see the a lumberjack show.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Jacksonville. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Couples?

Vancouver is renowned for couples. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Vancouver is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Most of the activities take advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting. You can take a carriage ride in Stanley Park or visit the Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden. Eat dim sum in Chinatown and then wander through the diverse neighborhood. End the day with a show at Orpheum Theater.

Jacksonville is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Vancouver. It's a favorite city for backpackers who enjoy the many outdoor activities. There are also many hostels available around town.

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.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver Better for Students?

Vancouver is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students visit Vancouver. The cities friendly personality and fun energy make it a great place to study.

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

Vancouver is renowned for times when you don't have a car. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Vancouver has a great public transit system. Public transit is efficient and comfortable. The Translink system includes buses, the SeaBus ferry, and the SkyTrain light rail system.

You'll find some public transit in Jacksonville, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transportation system includes trolleys, the Skyway, buses, water taxis, and the ferry.

Is Jacksonville or Vancouver a more walkable city?

Vancouver is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Jacksonville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Vancouver. The downtown area is very compact and fun to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Vancouver or Jacksonville?

How long in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

In either Jacksonville or Vancouver, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Vancouver than Jacksonville because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Jacksonville, and 3-5 days is enough time in Vancouver.

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

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

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

One day in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Jacksonville. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Each neighborhood in Vancouver has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Vancouver?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the youthful destination of Jacksonville. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Vancouver is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the under-rated city of Jacksonville. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Each neighborhood in Vancouver has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Jacksonville or Vancouver?

Jacksonville is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Vancouver is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jacksonville and Vancouver, we can see that Jacksonville is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.

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

Which is Bigger, Jacksonville or Vancouver?

Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Jacksonville. When comparing the sizes of Jacksonville and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?

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 Vancouver in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Jacksonville is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Jacksonville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vancouver 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 Vancouver during summer. Jacksonville gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.

Jacksonville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Jacksonville usually receives more rain than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Vancouver in the Autumn?

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

In October, Jacksonville is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Jacksonville average around 70°F (21°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Jacksonville this time of the year. In the autumn, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in October than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Jacksonville is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Vancouver in the Winter?

Both Vancouver 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 Vancouver in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Vancouver can get quite cold in the winter. Jacksonville is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Jacksonville averages around 53°F (12°C) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Jacksonville usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during winter. Jacksonville gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In January, Jacksonville usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Jacksonville or Vancouver in the Spring?

Both Vancouver 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. Also, most visitors come to Vancouver for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Jacksonville is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Jacksonville in April average around 68°F (20°C), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).

It's quite sunny in Jacksonville. In the spring, Jacksonville often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun.

Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Jacksonville usually gets less rain in April than Vancouver. Jacksonville gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Jacksonville is June to November.

Typical Weather for Vancouver and Jacksonville