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

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Should you visit Chattanooga or Houston?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Houston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Chattanooga or Houston?

Chattanooga

Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.

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 Chattanooga?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chattanooga is $145, 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 Chattanooga and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chattanooga $73
    Houston $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chattanooga $146
    Houston $226
Compare Hotels in Chattanooga and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga


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: Chattanooga Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chattanooga $28
    Houston $58
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chattanooga

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:


  • Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston Airport HOU to Houston City by Executive SUV: $92
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston Airport HOU to Houston City by Sedan Car: $67
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston Airport HOU to Houston City by Sprinter Minibus: $200
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by Minibus: $175
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by SUV: $92
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by Sedan Car: $62
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston City to Houston Airport HOU by Executive SUV: $92
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston City to Houston Airport HOU by Minibus: $200
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston City to Houston Airport HOU by Sedan Car: $67
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston to Houston George Bush Airport IAH by Minibus: $175
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston to Houston George Bush Airport IAH by SUV: $92
  • Departure Private Transfer Houston to Houston George Bush Airport IAH by Sedan: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Chattanooga or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Chattanooga 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
    Chattanooga $47
    Houston $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.

  • Small-Group Electric Bike Food Tour in Chattanooga: $50
  • 2-Hour Small Group Southern Cuisine Food Tour in Chattanooga: $65
  • 2-Hour Chattanooga Walking Food Tour: $69

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.
    Chattanooga $42
    Houston $11

Tours and Activities in Chattanooga

Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Entrance Ticket to National Medal of Honor Heritage Center: $14
  • Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour in Chattanooga: $23
  • Chattanooga Guided Walking Tour: $23
  • Chattanooga Guided Party Bike Tour: $26
  • Hillbilly Jeep Tours from Chattanooga: $26
  • Chattanooga "Awakening" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $29
  • Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $32
  • Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36
  • Chattanooga "Vaccine: Search For The Zombie Cure" Escape Room Admission Ticket: $36

Tours and Activities in Houston

Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Ultimate Houston Self-Driving Audio Tour: $8.00
  • Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $9.00
  • Haunted Houston Ghost Walking Tour (All Ages): $21
  • Space Center Houston Admission Ticket: $25
  • Museum of Natural Sciences Ticket: $25
  • Astroville Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston: $26
  • Houston Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $30
  • 3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!: $31
  • Houston's Official Hop on-Hop off Tour: $32
  • Astroville Weekend Downtown Houston Tour With Tunnel Access: $35
  • Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston: $35
  • Astroville Rockets Basketball Game Day Tour with Tunnel Access: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chattanooga $19
    Houston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga

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

  • Chattanooga Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Tastings: $41
  • Half-Day Private Wine Tour in Chattanooga: $159

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 Chattanooga and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Chattanooga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chattanooga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga.


When is the best time to visit Chattanooga or Houston?

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 Chattanooga or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. In July, Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Chattanooga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

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

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Chattanooga usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Houston. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In the winter, Chattanooga is much colder than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chattanooga in January are around 40°F (5°C), and Houston is about 52°F (11°C).

Chattanooga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Houston. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chattanooga 40°F (5°C) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Chattanooga or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Houston. Additionally, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In April, Chattanooga is generally cooler than Houston. Temperatures in Chattanooga average around 62°F (17°C), and Houston stays around 70°F (21°C).

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the spring. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chattanooga 62°F (17°C) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Chattanooga

Chattanooga Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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Chattanooga vs. Houston Travel Comparison

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