Which place is cheaper, Houston or Grand Cayman?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman 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.
Where Should I go: Grand Cayman or Houston?
Grand Cayman
When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Cayman $214Houston $262
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $214, 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 Grand Cayman and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Cayman $150Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Cayman $300Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman 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.
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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Cayman $31Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman
Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $88
- Airport Transfers to North Side Accommodation (GCM Grand Cayman): $265
- George Town / 7- Mile Beach area to George Town Port -Departure Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Cruise Port to George Town or 7-Mile Beach -Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- George Town Port to George Town / 7-Mile Beach area -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
- George Town Port to Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) - Departure Private Transfer: $53
- Privat Transfer from Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town Port: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to George Town or 7-Mile: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town Port to Owen Roberts AirportGCM: $53
- Private Transfer from George Town or 7 Mile to George Town Port: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- William P.Hobby Airport (HOU): Transfer to Port of Galveston: $540
- William P. Hobby Airport to Galveston Port Arrival Transfer: $168
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Houston APT-HTL (IAH): $151
- Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $60
- Transfer in private minivan from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $88
- Transfer in private minivan from Houston City Center to George Bush Airport: $88
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- RoundTrip transfer in private minivan from-to HoustonAirport in Houston Downtown: $176
- Round trip transfer in private car from-to Houston Airport in Houston Downtown: $120
- Private One-way George Bush Airport Transfer To/From Houston: $71
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and Grand Cayman 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
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Food Meals for one dayGrand Cayman $39Houston $35
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
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $72
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $87
- Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour: $90
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Houston Heights Culture and Food Tour: $95
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Grand Cayman $41Houston $14
Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman
For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- West Bay Sightseeing Tour Plus Seven Mile Beach Visit: $45
- Reagan’s Honey Beekeeping Adventure: $67
- Stingraycity Adventure: $69
- Starfish and Stingray City Fun Tour with Reef Snorkeling- 3 stops: $69
- Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $69
- Stingray City Sandbar, Coral Gardens and 7-Mile Beach Tour: $70
- Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $75
- Stingrays, Starfish and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- 2-stop Adventure: Stingray City and snorkeling at Cayman Reefs: $79
- Grand Cayman Cruise: Starfish Point, Stingray City, Coral Garden: $80
- Acquarius Stingray City and Snorkel Tours: $80
- Cayman Adventure: Starfish Point, Stingray City and Coral Gardens: $99
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Houston Ghosts and Hauntings By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- The Art of Fufu Cookbook Experience: West African Soup & Fufu : $100
- 2 Hours H- Town Tour with 15ft Open Air Party Truck On Wheels: $49
- 2-Hour Private Sightseeing Cart Tour of Houston and Galveston: $256
- 3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!: $31
- Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide: $45
- Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide: $45
- Astroville Driving Tour & NASA Space Center Admission and Shuttle: $85
- Astroville Private Best of Houston City Driving Tour: $375
- Astroville Tunnel Tour & NASA Space Center Admission with Shuttle: $85
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Conditioned): $32
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Condtioned): $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGrand Cayman $13Houston $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Grand Cayman:
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Beer$4.97
Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:
- Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
Sample the Local Flavors in Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
- Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Cayman and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Grand Cayman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Grand Cayman is in Caribbean Islands and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Grand Cayman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Cayman Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Grand Cayman or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Grand Cayman. When comparing the sizes of Grand Cayman and 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 along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Grand Cayman or Houston?
Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Grand Cayman experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Houston in the Summer?
Both Houston and Grand Cayman during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Grand Cayman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGrand Cayman 28°C (83°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Houston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Grand Cayman and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Grand Cayman year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Grand Cayman is a little warmer than Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Grand Cayman averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Grand Cayman gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Houston. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGrand Cayman 27°C (81°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Houston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Grand Cayman as well as Houston. Grand Cayman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Grand Cayman is much warmer than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Grand Cayman usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGrand Cayman 24°C (76°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Grand Cayman or Houston in the Spring?
Both Houston and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Grand Cayman is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Houston. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGrand Cayman 26°C (79°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Grand Cayman
| Grand Cayman | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 131 mm (5.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 179 mm (7 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 172 mm (6.8 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 212 mm (8.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 238 mm (9.4 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 141 mm (5.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (78°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 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.