A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Hilton Head Island vs. Houston for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island and Houston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a family-friendly, relaxing, and peaceful coastal town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and food.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Hilton Head Island and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston. Although Hilton Head Island and Houston are both popular with visitors, Houston has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Houston is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Hilton Head Island is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Hilton Head Island is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its long sandy beaches, many golf courses, popular tennis camps, and accessible bike trails. Houston is popular for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also home to The Space Center Houston.

How is Hilton Head Island different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Houston is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to Houston's Museum District to explore 19 different museums in a walkable area. A highlight of a trip to the city is a visit to the Space Center, but other popular museums include the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Houston Children's Museum.

Hilton Head Island does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Hilton Head Island or Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Hilton Head Island and Houston.

Hilton Head Island is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The island has many famous restaurants but reservations during the summer are a must. Restaurants can get very crowded during peak times. For some of the best restaurants head to Shelter Cove or Harbour Town. Popular local dishes include fried seafood and oysters.

Houston offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city is famous for its Texas barbecue, Mexican food, and a wide diversity of other different ethnic foods. It's a surprisingly diverse city and this is reflected in the restaurant selection around town.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Houston has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife is at its best on weekends when bars, dance clubs, and concert halls come to life. There are a diversity of venues around town including dance clubs, Honky Tonks, and cocktail bars. Some of the most active nightlife areas are Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, Washington Avenue, and Rice Village.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Hilton Head Island. There are a few sports bars and comedy clubs, but nightlife isn't really a thing in Hilton Head. This is very much a family destination that shuts down with the sunset.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is very good for its music scene. However, Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Music lovers will find a few good venues in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Hilton Head Island is not a live music destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Resorts?

Hilton Head Island is well known for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Hilton Head Island to choose from. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of weekly condo rentals, which usually include a pool and outdoor space. Tennis and golf are also popular on the island so many resorts have facilities for each.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Beaches?

Hilton Head Island is well known for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Hilton Head Island for it's beautiful beaches. The island has nice beaches that are popular with families. They are great for swimming during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. While some beaches may get a bit crowded during peak holidays, they're usually pretty relaxed and less crowded than many nearby beaches.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Hilton Head Island and Houston.

Hilton Head Island has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The area has upscale shopping with designer names and local venues. Popular shopping areas include Shelter Cove Town Center and Harbor Town.

Houston is a great destination for shopping. 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 Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Families?

Hilton Head Island is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Hilton Head Island is very family-friendly. This area is a popular family-friendly beach destination with a number of summer events for the whole family, peaceful beaches, and family-friendly restaurants throughout. Older kids will enjoy cycling around the island's many bike trails or attending a popular tennis camp.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. It is a large city with plenty of things that kids can enjoy including museums, theaters, a zoo, and even the Space Center. The Children's Museum of Houston is perfect for a rainy day. For science loving kids there's the Health Museum and the Museum of Natural Science. Houston also has a Six Flags nearby which the whole family can enjoy.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Couples?

Both Hilton Head Island and Houston are good destinations to visit as a couple.

Hilton Head Island is a good coastal town for couples to visit. While the area is most popular with families, it is a fun place to explore as a couple because of the many high end restaurants and the beautiful setting. Couples can rent bikes to explore or play a friendly game of tennis.

Houston is a nice destination for couples. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

Hilton Head Island is not popular with students.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Houston is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Hilton Head Island is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Houston. The system includes buses and a limited light rail. Houston is known as a car-centric city and you really need a car to fully experience it.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Hilton Head Island. You must have a car to get most places on the island, unless you bike. Rush hour during summer months can have intense traffic.

Is Hilton Head Island or Houston a more walkable city?

Hilton Head Island and Houston are decent when it comes to walkability.

Hilton Head Island is generally not a very walkable coastal town. You really need a car to get around, but for those who are motivated, there is a great network of bike trails. It's mostly used for recreational purposes though.

Houston is generally not very walkable. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Hilton Head Island Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Hilton Head Island?

How long in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Hilton Head Island and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilton Head Island than in Houston. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Hilton Head Island, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

Families should spend more time in Hilton Head Island than Houston. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilton Head Island, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Houston than Hilton Head Island. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Houston that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Houston than Hilton Head Island if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Houston.

One day in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find food and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Houston is a one-of-a-kind big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

In Hilton Head Island, you'll find shopping and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come 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 popular place to visit. Houston is a sprawling city where you can fill many days. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Houston has to offer.

Five days in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Houston. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

A week in Hilton Head Island or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilton Head Island. In Hilton Head Island, you'll find shopping and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Houston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Hilton Head Island. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island or Houston?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Hilton Head Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Hilton Head Island is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 82°F (28°C), 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 Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Houston. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Houston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives less rain than Houston. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Houston. The winter months attract visitors to Hilton Head Island because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the winter, Hilton Head Island is cooler than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hilton Head Island in January average around 48°F (9°C), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C).

Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in January than Houston. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the activities around the city.

In April, Hilton Head Island is generally around the same temperature as Houston. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 67°F (19°C), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Houston. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Hilton Head Island