Which place is cheaper, Houston or Hot Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hot Springs or Houston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs 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.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Houston?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesHouston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Houston $287
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, while the average daily cost in Houston is $287. 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 Hot Springs and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $125
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- Private Transfer IAH Airport to Houston Space Center Galveston: $42
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
- Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $54
- Private One-way Transfer from Houston to George Bush Airport : $77
- Private One-way Transfer from George Bush Airport to Houston: $77
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $119
- Departure Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH by Sedan: $119
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Luxury SUV: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $90Houston $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: $75
- Fun Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $80
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $80
- Houston Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings of Tradition & Fusion: $85
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $95
- French Cooking Class in Houston (Includes 3-Course Meal): $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Houston $14
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Entry Ticket: $10
- Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $12
- Houston Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $12
- Burke Baker Planetarium Admission Ticket: $12
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Experiential Tour: $15
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $15
- The Cistern Experience in Spanish and English Bilingual: $15
- Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $20
- HTX Adventure Park Admission – ATV Rental Fee Not Included : $20
- Holocaust Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $22
- Houston Rockets NBA Basketball Game Ticket: $23
- Houston Hollow Heart Hauntings Ghost Tour: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHot Springs $22Houston $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Houston Hustle Bar Crawl: $15
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Houston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Houston. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hot Springs is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hot Springs in July average around 83°F (28°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).
Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Houston. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Houston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Houston. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In October, Hot Springs is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 64°F (18°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. Hot Springs usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Houston in the Winter?
Both Houston and Hot Springs 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.
It's quite cold in Hot Springs in the winter. Hot Springs is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Houston. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Houston in the Spring?
Both Houston and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Hot Springs is cooler than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hot Springs in April average around 65°F (18°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Houston. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 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.