Should you visit Atlanta or Houston?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Atlanta or Houston, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
Houston
The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the United States, Houston is a sprawling urban center that has grown from its wealth in the oil industry. Visitors today are drawn to its cultural diversity which has additionally made Houston a foodie destination. Other attractions to Houston include its proximity to NASA's Space Center Houston on the Gulf coast, and its Downtown which features a vibrant museum and arts scene, shopping, and dining.
Which city is cheaper, Houston or Atlanta?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Atlanta is $136, while the average daily cost in Houston is $210. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Atlanta and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Atlanta can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $72, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $144.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $226 for a double occupancy room in Houston.
Food
Food in Atlanta costs travelers about $33 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Houston for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Atlanta $33
Houston $28
Typical Food prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
-
Fast Food Lunch (for 2)
$15
-
Lunch
$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
-
Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour:
$75
-
Grant Park Past & Future Food Tour:
$75
-
2.5-Hour History and Food Tour in Atlanta:
$75
-
Atlanta's Southern Food Tour:
$86
-
Modern Southern Food Tour of Historic Inman Park:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Atlanta:
$116
-
Secret Food Tours Atlanta w/ Private Tour Option:
$249
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
-
Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access:
$65
-
Culinary Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access:
$67
-
Downtown Houston Food Tour:
$74
-
The Heights Food Tour:
$74
Local Transportation
Atlanta's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $34 per person, per day on transportation in Atlanta.
The average price of local transportation around Houston is $58 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
-
MARTA Subway Ticket
$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Arrival Private Transfer: Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury SUV:
$98
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta in Luxury SUV:
$93
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Business Car:
$83
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury Car:
$174
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City in Luxury Van:
$93
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Business Car:
$88
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury Car:
$183
-
Atlanta Airport Transfers : Atlanta City to Atlanta Airport ATL in Luxury Van:
$98
-
Atlanta Arrival Private Transfers from Airport ATL to Atlanta in Business Car:
$83
-
Atlanta Arrival Private Transfers from Airport ATL to Atlanta in Luxury Van:
$98
-
Atlanta Departure Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer:
$73
-
Atlanta Departure Private Transfers from Atlanta to Airport ATL in Business Car:
$88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
-
Private Transfer: Houston International Airport (HOU) to Houston:
$622
-
Private Transfer: Houston to Houston International Airport (HOU):
$622
-
Low Cost Private Transfer From George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport to Houston City - One Way:
$471
-
Sprinter Van IAH Transfer to Galveston:
$462
-
Galveston Private Transfer - Houston Airport to Galveston Port/Hotel:
$408
-
Sprinter Van Airport Transfer in Houston:
$320
-
SUV Airport Transfer to Galveston:
$299
-
Sedan Airport Transfer IAH to Galveston:
$256
-
Departure Private Transfer Houston City to Houston Airport HOU by Minibus:
$200
-
Arrival Private Transfer Houston Airport HOU to Houston City by Sprinter Minibus:
$200
-
Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$187
-
Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by Minibus:
$175
Is it cheaper to fly into Atlanta or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and Atlanta 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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Atlanta can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $45 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Houston's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $11 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
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Ultimate Atlanta Self-Walking Audio Tour:
$10
-
Skip-The-Line: World of Coca-Cola Admission Ticket:
$20
-
LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Atlanta Admission Ticket:
$22
-
Atlanta Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$27
-
Zoo General Admission Ticket:
$29
-
Dr. Martin Luther King's Tour:
$34
-
Martin Luther King Historic District Walking Tour:
$35
-
Martin Luther King Walking Tour with Optional Lunch:
$35
-
Atlanta Electric Car City Tour:
$36
-
Georgia Aquarium: Skip-the-Purchase-Line Tickets:
$37
-
The Escape Game Atlanta Epic 60-Minute Private Adventure:
$37
-
Atlanta Beltline Small Group Walking Tour:
$38
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
-
1-Day Houston City Tour ( Houston departure ) (HU1):
$60
-
1-Day Mexico Gulf+NASA Tour (Houston departure) (X1):
$60
-
2-Day Austin+San Antonio Tour (Huston departure)(HS2):
$198
-
2-Days New Orleans Tour (Houston departure)(HN2):
$238
-
3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!:
$31
-
7-Day Texas Tour ( Houston departure ) ( APH7 ):
$788
-
Astroville Light Rail Train Tour of Houston with Tunnel Access:
$40
-
Astroville Rockets Basketball Game Day Tour with Tunnel Access:
$36
-
Astroville Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston:
$26
-
Astroville Weekend Downtown Houston Tour With Tunnel Access:
$35
-
Audi R8 Supercar Experience at Grandsport Speedway:
$435
-
Best City Tour 2 hours:
$51
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Atlanta, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $14.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Houston may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
-
Atlanta Bar Hunt: All About Atlanta Bar Crawl:
$12
-
Krog Street Market Pub Crawl:
$36
-
Atlanta Brewery Guided Tours:
$65
-
Three Vineyard Classic Wine Tasting Tour:
$165
-
Explore Rabun County - Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour:
$170
-
Georgia Horseback Ride with Wine Tasting:
$204
-
Private Wine Tasting Tour of Three Vineyards:
$210
Sample the Local Flavors in Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Skip the Line: Distillery Tour Ticket:
$21
-
Haunted Houston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings:
$29
-
Brewery Tour:
$53
-
Astroville Downtown Bar Crawl & Tunnel Access (2 Cocktails Beverages Included):
$58
-
Bar Crawl with Tunnel Access and 2 Cocktails:
$67
-
2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart:
$70
-
SUV St. Arnold Brewery Tour:
$487
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Atlanta and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in Atlanta.
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