A Travel Price Comparison for Texas Dallas vs. Houston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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

Where Should I go: Dallas or Houston?

Dallas

Located in the north central part of the state, Dallas is a prominent city in Texas and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the United States of America. The business reputation of Dallas rose from its historical status as the center for cotton and oil industries. It was also positioned among numerous railroads.

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 Dallas?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Dallas is $112, 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 Dallas and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Dallas $67
    Houston $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Dallas $134
    Houston $226
Compare Hotels in Dallas and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Dallas 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 Dallas


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: Dallas Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Dallas $23
    Houston $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dallas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dallas:

  • AT&T Stadium Transfer: $107
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Addison by Luxury Vehicle: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Dowtown Dallas by Luxury Vehicle: $49
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Fort Worth by Luxury Vehicle: $89
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dallas Airport DAL to Plano by Luxury Vehicle: $63
  • DAL - Dallas Love Airport - Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel: $123
  • DFW - Dallas Fort Worth Airport - Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel: $123
  • DFW - Dallas Fort Worth Airport - Round Trip Ground Transfer to/from Your Hotel: $245
  • Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Business Car: $100
  • Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury SUV: $128
  • Dallas Airport Transfers : Dallas City to Dallas Airport DFW in Luxury Van: $122
  • Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $85

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $36
  • Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: Houston to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): $40
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): $44
  • Private Departure Transfer to Houston George Bush Airport IAH: $44
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $47
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Houston Downtown to George Bush Airport: $47
  • Transfer in private minivan from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $47
  • Transfer in private minivan from Houston City Center to George Bush Airport: $47
  • Private Airport Transfer: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Houston: $52
  • Private Arrival Transfer from IAH Airport to Johnson Space Center: $61
  • Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by Sedan Car: $62

Is it cheaper to fly into Dallas or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Dallas 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
    Dallas $28
    Houston $28
Typical Food prices in Dallas

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dallas are as follows:


  • Cowboys Stadium Tour (for 2)
    $55
  • Whataburger Lunch (family of 4)
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dallas

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

  • Live from Eggs Benedict Cooking Class with Bri from MasterChef: $33
  • Live from Eggs Benedict Brunch Cooking Class with Bri from MasteChef: $33
  • Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Admission Ticket in Dallas: $73
  • Secret Food Tour of Dallas w/ Private Tour Option: $221

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.
    Dallas $10
    Houston $11

Tours and Activities in Dallas

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dallas are as follows:

  • walkSTEM Tour: $18
  • Skip the Line: Marionette Theater Tickets in Dallas: $19
  • Dallas' Reunion Tower GeO-Deck Observation Ticket: $21
  • Dallas Cruizer Tour: $25
  • John F Kennedy Assassination Tour with Sixth Floor Museum: $26
  • Skip the Line: Princess Party Breakfast Show Ticket: $26
  • 1-Hour JFK Assassination Highlights Tour: $26
  • Dallas City Highlights Tour: $29
  • 75-Minute Small-Group City Highlights Tour: $30
  • Dallas Food and Culture Tour: $36
  • Urban Adventure Quest: Scavenger Hunt in Dallas, Texas: $44
  • JFK Assassination Tour + Oswald's Rooming House: $50

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
    Dallas $9.82
    Houston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Dallas

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

  • Dallas Bar Hunt: Dallas Dynasty Bar Crawl: $12
  • Haunted Dallas Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $27
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl in Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas: $55

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


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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dallas and Houston. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The temperature in Dallas is usually 88°F (31°C) in July, and Houston stays around 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Dallas usually receives less rain than Houston. Dallas gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Dallas 88°F (31°C) 
    Houston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dallas as well as Houston. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Dallas is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dallas in October are around 69°F (21°C), and Houston is about 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Dallas usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Dallas 69°F (21°C) 
    Houston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Dallas are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In January, Dallas is generally cooler than Houston. Temperatures in Dallas average around 46°F (8°C), and Houston stays around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Dallas usually receives less rain than Houston. Dallas gets 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Dallas 46°F (8°C) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Dallas or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Dallas during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.

Dallas is around the same temperature as Houston in the spring. The temperature in Dallas is usually 68°F (20°C) in April, and Houston stays around 70°F (21°C).

Dallas usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Dallas gets 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Dallas 68°F (20°C) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Dallas

Dallas Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 46°F (8°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 51°F (10°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 60°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 76°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 83°F (29°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 88°F (31°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 87°F (31°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 80°F (27°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 59°F (15°C) 2.4 inches (60 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 50°F (10°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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Dallas vs. Houston Travel Comparison

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