Which city is cheaper, Houston or Charleston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Houston, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Charleston is a classic, picturesque, and charming coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Houston is a one-of-a-kind, sprawling, and southern city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and live music.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Houston and Charleston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Charleston or Houston.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charleston. This city is famous for its many historic churches and plantations. You can also visit Fort Sumter National Monument by boat or take a tour of the USS Yorktown.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Houston. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area.
Most foodies will appreciate the restaurant options in Charleston a bit more than Houston.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Charleston is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Food lovers will enjoy the city's low country classics. Local favorites include she crab soup, shrimp and grits, cornbread, and fried green tomatoes.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Houston. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods.
Evening events are similar in both Charleston and Houston.
There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charleston. As a college town, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around town. There's also a lively music scene.
Houston has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life.
Both Charleston and Houston offer a variety of live music venues.
The music scene helps keep Charleston active and fun. You can hear a number of local bands or enjoy a more widely known group at larger venues in the area.
You'll find some good live music in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.
Charleston usually beats out Houston for shopping.
Charleston is a world class destination for shoppers. The city is famous for its historic market in the center of town. Local goods, foods, and crafts are sold daily here. There are also many clothing and local shops throughout town.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Houston. 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.
Charleston and Houston are both fun destinations for the whole family.
Charleston is a family-friendly place to visit. The area has a number of family friendly activities like carriage rides and boat rides. The nearby beaches also make it a wonderful place to visit with kids.
Houston is a family-friendly coastal town. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center.
Charleston is more walkable than Houston.
Charleston is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is very walkable, but once you leave the historic heart, it's best to have a car.
Houston is generally not a very walkable coastal town. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Charleston and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Charleston than Houston.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Charleston is 2-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Houston is 2-3 days.
In Charleston, you'll find shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Charleston, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charleston has to offer.
When visiting Houston, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.
Charleston is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Charleston has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Houston, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Charleston. In Charleston, you'll find live music and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
Houston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Charleston and Houston in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Charleston or Houston? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
Prices for flights to both Houston and Charleston 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Charleston.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Houston. Many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Charleston is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Temperatures in Charleston average around 82°F (28°C), and Houston stays around 84°F (29°C).
Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Charleston usually receives more rain than Houston. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Houston. Many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Charleston is cooler than Houston in the autumn. The temperature in Charleston is usually 67°F (19°C) in October, and Houston stays around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. Charleston usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Houston and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Charleston is cooler than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charleston in January are around 47°F (9°C), and Houston is about 52°F (11°C).
In January, Charleston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Houston and Charleston during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In April, Charleston is generally cooler than Houston. Temperatures in Charleston average around 64°F (18°C), and Houston stays around 70°F (21°C).
Charleston usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Charleston | Houston | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Feb | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Mar | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
May | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
Oct | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
Nov | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
Dec | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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