A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Charlotte vs. Houston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Charlotte 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 Charlotte and Houston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Charlotte or Houston?

Charlotte

With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.

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 Charlotte?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Charlotte is $153, 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 Charlotte and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charlotte $94
    Houston $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charlotte $188
    Houston $226
Compare Hotels in Charlotte and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Charlotte 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.

Hotels in Charlotte


Hotels in Houston


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Charlotte Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charlotte $27
    Houston $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte

Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by SUV: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfer Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte by Sedan car: $86
  • Charlotte City to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Arrival Private Transfer: $54
  • Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT Sedan Car: $85
  • Departure Private Transfer Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT by SUV: $140
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT: $38
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): $38

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 Charlotte or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Charlotte 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Charlotte $37
    Houston $28
Typical Food prices in Charlotte

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:


  • Pizza at Airport
    $4.03
  • Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)
    $29

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
  • Downtown Houston Food Tour: $74
  • The Heights Food Tour: $74
  • Culinary Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Charlotte $34
    Houston $11

Tours and Activities in Charlotte

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.

  • Charlotte Beyond the Grave Haunted History Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Queen City Ghost Tour: $22
  • Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: $23
  • Charlotte Comedy City Tour: $30
  • Charlotte Comedy City PG-13 Tour: $35
  • Charlotte's Historical City Tour: $38
  • 90-Minute Electric Cart City Sightseeing Tour: $40
  • Belize Jungle Limo - Triple Activity Tour: $50
  • Historic Uptown 90-Minute Segway Tour: $60
  • Historic Uptown Neighborhood Segway Tour of Charlotte: $60
  • Private and Custom Tours: $75
  • Discover Charlotte Historic City: Segway Tour: $234

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charlotte $16
    Houston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:

  • Haunted Charlotte Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Trolley Pub Tour of Charlotte: $41
  • 3-Hour Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $54

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 Tour: $53
  • Astroville Downtown Bar Crawl & Tunnel Access (2 Cocktails Beverages Included): $58
  • SUV St. Arnold Brewery Tour: $487

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Charlotte or Houston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Charlotte or Houston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charlotte as well as Houston. Additionally, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Charlotte is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 81°F (27°C), and Houston stays around 84°F (29°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Charlotte receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Houston. Charlotte gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charlotte 81°F (27°C) 
    Houston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Charlotte are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Charlotte is cooler than Houston in the autumn. The temperature in Charlotte is usually 63°F (17°C) in October, and Houston stays around 71°F (22°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In October, Charlotte usually receives less rain than Houston. Charlotte gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Houston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Charlotte during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the winter, Charlotte is much colder than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Charlotte in January are around 42°F (6°C), and Houston is about 52°F (11°C).

Charlotte usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Houston. Charlotte gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charlotte 42°F (6°C) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Charlotte or Houston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlotte and Houston. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.

In April, Charlotte is generally cooler than Houston. Temperatures in Charlotte average around 63°F (17°C), and Houston stays around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Charlotte usually receives more rain than Houston. Charlotte gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charlotte 63°F (17°C) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Charlotte

Charlotte Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 42°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 46°F (8°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 63°F (17°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 4 inches (101 mm) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 54°F (12°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 46°F (8°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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Charlotte vs. Houston Travel Comparison

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