Should you visit Chattanooga or Houston?
Should I visit Chattanooga or Houston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Chattanooga and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $73. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Chattanooga the cost is $146 on average.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $226 for a double occupancy room in Houston.
Food
In Chattanooga travelers spend around $47 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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
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.
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Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access:
$65
-
Culinary Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access:
$67
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Downtown Houston Food Tour:
$74
-
The Heights Food Tour:
$74
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $28 per day to get around in Chattanooga.
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 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:
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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
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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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $42 per person, per day in Chattanooga. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
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 Chattanooga
Here are a few actual costs in Chattanooga for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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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
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Chattanooga "Speakeasy" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "The Hunted" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "Secret Agent" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
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Chattanooga "Locker Room Lockdown: Mascot Rescue" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$32
-
Chattanooga "C-Block Prison Break" Escape Room Admission Ticket:
$36
-
Chattanooga "The Inheritance Mystery Room" 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
-
Haunted Houston Ghost Walking Tour (All Ages):
$21
-
Space Center Houston Admission 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
-
Houston Hop on-City Tour: 2-Day Pass:
$35
-
Hop-on Houston City Tour:
$35
-
Astroville Weekend Downtown Houston Tour With Tunnel Access:
$35
-
Astroville Rockets Basketball Game Day Tour with Tunnel Access:
$36
-
The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chattanooga may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $19 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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 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 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 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.
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