A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Houston for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Bali or Houston?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Houston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Houston?

You'll generally find more things to do in Houston than Bali. Houston is bigger than Bali, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Houston is better known for its museums, music, and big city activities, while Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Houston and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Houston is well known for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. Also, Houston is famous for The Space Center Houston.

How is Bali different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Houston?

Houston is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Bali, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

People head to Bali just to party. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is very good for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Houston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Houston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Hiking?

Bali is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Houston?

Bali is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Houston.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Houston is a good island for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Houston is a good city to visit for students. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Bali or Houston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

You'll find some public transit in Bali, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Is Bali or Houston a more walkable city?

Bali and Houston both are respectable when exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Houston is generally not a very walkable island. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Bali?

How long in Bali or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Houston. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Houston 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Houston?

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Houston is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Houston?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Houston?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the southern big city of Houston. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The sprawling city of Houston offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Houston, 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 Bali or Houston?

Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Bali is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Houston. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bali as well as Houston. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Bali is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Bali usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Bali usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Bali during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.

Bali is a little warmer than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Typical Weather for Houston and Bali