Which city is cheaper, Houston or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Columbia 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.
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbia is $0.00, 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 Columbia and Houston in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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.
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Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
Prices for flights to both Houston and Columbia 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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 Columbia and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
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 Columbia and Houston. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Columbia is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The temperature in Columbia is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Houston stays around 84°F (29°C).
Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Houston. 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, Columbia is cooler than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Columbia in October are around 64°F (18°C), and Houston is about 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. Columbia usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Houston and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Columbia is generally much colder than Houston. Temperatures in Columbia average around 45°F (7°C), and Houston stays around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Columbia usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Houston and Columbia during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.
Columbia is cooler than Houston in the spring. The temperature in Columbia is usually 64°F (18°C) in April, and Houston stays around 70°F (21°C).
Columbia usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Columbia | Houston | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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