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

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Should you visit Cincinnati or Houston?

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

Should I visit Cincinnati 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: Cincinnati or Houston?

Cincinnati

Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.

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 place is cheaper, Houston or Cincinnati?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $183, while the average daily cost in Houston is $262. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cincinnati and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cincinnati $102
    Houston $142
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cincinnati $204
    Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Cincinnati and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati


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: Cincinnati Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cincinnati $25
    Houston $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $194
  • William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $169
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston Airport HOU to Houston City by Sprinter Minibus: $204
  • Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $109
  • Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Luxury SUV: $110
  • Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Business Car: $106
  • Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Luxury SUV: $110
  • George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $194
  • Group Shuttle Transfer to Houston Airports or Galveston Ports: $399
  • Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Arrival Private Transfer: $169
  • Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162

Is it cheaper to fly into Cincinnati or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Cincinnati 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
    Cincinnati $55
    Houston $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cincinnati

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

  • Ohio River Cruise with Buffet Dinner: $56
  • Mainstrasse Village Food Tour in Covington KY: $75
  • Cincinnati Streetcar Food Tour With Findlay Market : $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston

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

  • Seasonal Pizza From Scratch Experience in Houston: $55
  • From Novice to Chef: Interactive Cooking Classes in Houston: $55
  • Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
  • Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
  • The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
  • Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
  • Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
  • Secret Food Tours Houston Downtown: $89
  • Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour: $90
  • East Downtown Food Tour: $90
  • Montrose Food Tour: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cincinnati $26
    Houston $14

Tours and Activities in Cincinnati

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

  • Mount Adams Historic Smartphone Guided App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Mt Adams Historic, Cincinnati, App/GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
  • Self Guided Cincinnati Ghost Haunted Walking Tour Audio Tour Music Hall OTR: $6.75
  • Self-Guided Haunted Walking Audio Tour: $6.75
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Cincinnati by Crazy Dash: $10
  • Cincinnati Reds Baseball Game Ticket at Great American Ballpark: $21
  • Ghost Walking Tour: $26
  • Ohio River: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise: $26
  • Historic Sightseeing Cruise: $27
  • Smartphone-Guided Walking Tour of Downtown Cincinnati Sights & Stories: $28
  • Ultimate Queen City is Haunted Tour: $29
  • Haunted Tour in Mount Healthy from Cincinnati: $29

Tours and Activities in Houston

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

  • Houston Self-Guided Audio Tour : $6.00
  • Sights of Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.40
  • Sights of Downtown Houston Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Ticket: $12
  • Houston Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $13
  • Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $13
  • The Best of Houston Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Austin & Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Houston Rockets Basketball Game Ticket at Toyota Center: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cincinnati $11
    Houston $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cincinnati

Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Cincinnati Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $36
  • Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour in Cincinnati with Beer Tasting: $49
  • Craft Brewery 3 Stop Hop: $64
  • Cincinnati Original Craft Brewery Small-Group Tour: $68

Sample the Local Flavors in Houston

Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Haunted Houston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $37
  • Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
  • Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
  • 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
  • Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour : $71
  • Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

Which is Bigger, Cincinnati or Houston?

Houston is bigger, and its population is about 6.6 times larger than the population of Cincinnati. When comparing the population of Cincinnati vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Cincinnati 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.

Cincinnati is cooler than Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In July, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Houston. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cincinnati 79°F (26°C) 
    Houston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Houston in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Cincinnati is cooler than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cincinnati in October average around 58°F (15°C), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Cincinnati usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cincinnati 58°F (15°C) 
    Houston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Houston in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Cincinnati in the winter. In January, Cincinnati is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Cincinnati average around 31°F (-0°C), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Houston. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cincinnati 31°F (-0°C) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Cincinnati or Houston in the Spring?

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

Cincinnati is much colder than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Cincinnati averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

Cincinnati usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cincinnati 56°F (14°C) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Cincinnati

Cincinnati Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 31°F (-0°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 35°F (2°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 46°F (8°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 56°F (14°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 66°F (19°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 77°F (25°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 71°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 58°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 48°F (9°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 37°F (3°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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Cincinnati vs. Houston Travel Comparison

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