A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Fort Lauderdale vs. Houston for Nightlife, Families, and Food

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Should you visit Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Houston. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a high energy, scenic, and bustling coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for live music, food, and shopping.

Fort Lauderdale and Houston: Pros and Cons

Fort Lauderdale
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Very walkable
  • Impressive beauty
Houston
Pros
  • Family-friendly
  • Big city activities
Cons
  • Less walkable


How is Fort Lauderdale different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Houston and Fort Lauderdale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston Better for Food?

Fort Lauderdale
Houston

Both Fort Lauderdale and Houston offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

Fort Lauderdale offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto.

Houston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods.


Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Fort Lauderdale
Houston

It's hard to distinguish whether Fort Lauderdale or Houston has a better nightlife scene.

The people in Fort Lauderdale know how to have a good time. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs.

The nightlife in Houston has something for everybody. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston Better for Shopping?

Fort Lauderdale
Houston

Shopping is a popular activity in both Houston and Fort Lauderdale.

Fort Lauderdale is a great destination for shopping. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Houston. There are a number of upscale malls and shopping centers that have brand names, chain stores, and the occasional local shop where you can pick up items.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston Better for Families?

Fort Lauderdale
Houston

Both Fort Lauderdale and Houston are family-friendly destinations.

Fort Lauderdale is a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities the kids will be entertained. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome.

Houston offers lots of family activities. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center.

Is Fort Lauderdale or Houston a more walkable city?

Fort Lauderdale
Houston

Fort Lauderdale is generally more walkable than Houston.

Fort Lauderdale is very walkable. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.

Houston is generally not a very walkable coastal city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights.


Should I spend more time in Houston or Fort Lauderdale?

How long in Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Fort Lauderdale and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than Houston.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Fort Lauderdale is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Houston is 2-3 days.


  • How many days in Fort Lauderdale or Houston? Ideal Length of Stay
    Fort Lauderdale 3-7 
    Houston 2-3

One day in Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Houston is a big city with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Houston is a big city with plenty to do. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

Fort Lauderdale is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Houston is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Houston. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Which city is cheaper, Houston or Fort Lauderdale?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale is $146, 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 Fort Lauderdale and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort Lauderdale $77
    Houston $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort Lauderdale $154
    Houston $226
Compare Hotels in Fort Lauderdale and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale


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: Fort Lauderdale Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort Lauderdale $41
    Houston $58

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Arrival Private Transfers from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL to Hollywood: $103
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL to Hollywood: $117
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL to Hollywood: $100
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Fort Lauderdale Airport FLL to Hollywood: $77
  • Florida Transfers and Tours: $150
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) Private Arrival Transfer: $77
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton - Arrival Private Transfer: $98
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boca Raton - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $197
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boynton Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $137
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Boynton Beach - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $274
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Coral Gables - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) to Coral Gables - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $142

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 Fort Lauderdale or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Fort Lauderdale 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
    Fort Lauderdale $39
    Houston $28
Typical Food prices in Fort Lauderdale

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Fort Lauderdale:


  • Quick Lunch
    $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort Lauderdale

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

  • All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise: $60

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.
    Fort Lauderdale $12
    Houston $11

Tours and Activities in Fort Lauderdale

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

  • Beach Cruiser Bike Rentals in Fort Lauderdale: $11
  • Fort Lauderdale Historical Walking Tour: $12
  • 1-Hour Interactive Pirate Adventure Cruise in Fort Lauderdale (Family-Friendly): $23
  • 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruises: $23
  • Fort Lauderdale Daily Sightseeing Cruise - On the Venice of America: $27
  • Everglades Eco Adventure: 2-Hour Sawgrass Recreation Park: $28
  • Jungle Queen Sightseeing Cruise: $33
  • Everglades Airboat Tour & Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Show from Fort Lauderdale: $37
  • Ft Lauderdale Cocktail Cruise: $45
  • Island Time Boat Cruise: $45
  • 1-Hour Bike Tour of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: $47
  • SUP PUP Paddleboard Tour: $47

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
    Fort Lauderdale $27
    Houston $11
Typical Alcohol prices in Fort Lauderdale

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:


  • Beer
    $7.30

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort Lauderdale

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:

  • Party Bike Bar Crawl: $59

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


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

Both Houston and Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the summer, Fort Lauderdale is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in July are around 83°F (28°C), and Houston is about 84°F (29°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in Fort Lauderdale. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Houston. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Fort Lauderdale 83°F (28°C) 
    Houston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Houston in the Autumn?

Both Houston and Fort Lauderdale during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fort Lauderdale this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Houston. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 78°F (26°C), and Houston stays around 71°F (22°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Houston. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Fort Lauderdale 78°F (26°C) 
    Houston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Houston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Fort Lauderdale and Houston. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Houston in the winter. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 67°F (20°C) in January, and Houston stays around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives less rain than Houston. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Fort Lauderdale 67°F (20°C) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Fort Lauderdale or Houston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Houston. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Fort Lauderdale is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in April are around 75°F (24°C), and Houston is about 70°F (21°C).

Fort Lauderdale usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Houston. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Fort Lauderdale 75°F (24°C) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (20°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 72°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 79°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 83°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)


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Fort Lauderdale vs. Houston Travel Comparison

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