Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Houston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Houston and Big Island of Hawaii. 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.
Houston is a diverse, sprawling, and southern city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.
Big Island of Hawaii is a relaxing, adventure-filled, and laid back island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Big Island of Hawaii. Although Houston and Big Island of Hawaii are popular destinations, Big Island of Hawaii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Big Island of Hawaii is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Houston attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. It is also well known for the Waipio Valley Overlook. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Big Island of Hawaii and Houston. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Houston is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Houston can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.
Big Island of Hawaii offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.
Foodies will find both Houston and Big Island of Hawaii both to be nice destinations.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Houston. 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.
Big Island of Hawaii is becoming an appealing option for foodies. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.
Houston is a great city for nightlife. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for nightlife and partying.
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. 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.
Most people don't head to Big Island of Hawaii specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The nightlife scene is very chill with many local places that have live music and drinks. You won't find any major nightclubs, but there are karaoke bars and laid back breweries. The most options are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
Houston is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not a live music destination.
The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.
Big Island of Hawaii is not a live music destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.
Vacationers flock to Big Island of Hawaii for its luxury resorts. There are a number of beautiful luxury resorts on the island like the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.
Houston is not a resort destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Houston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Big Island of Hawaii. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.
Houston is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class destination for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.
Big Island of Hawaii offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.
Houston is not a beach destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.
Houston is not a hiking destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
Big Island of Hawaii is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.
Houston has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.
Big Island of Hawaii 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, Big Island of Hawaii is very family-friendly. Families will enjoy the laid back island vibe. You can spend some time on the beach and then head inland to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If your kids are adventurous, the island is a great place to dive or snorkel with manta rays. There are also great hikes, helicopter rides, and luaus.
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.
Big Island of Hawaii is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.
Big Island of Hawaii is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who enjoy a relaxed beach vibe will love a visit to this laid back island. There are upscale resorts as well as independent hotels that have a more personal style. The island also has stunning views, impressive hikes, and countless opportunities for romance.
Houston is a good city for couples to visit. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.
Big Island of Hawaii is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a great island to visit for backpackers. This is one of the most popular islands for backpackers. It has a mellow atmosphere that appeals to young travelers. There are also hostels on the island, but transportation can be challenging.
Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.
Houston is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not popular with students.
It's common for students to visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.
Big Island of Hawaii is not popular with students.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Houston and Big Island of Hawaii.
Public transit is generally 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 mostly limited in Big Island of Hawaii. There is a bus service that connects Kona and Hilo. It's called the Hele-On and there are both north and south routes.
Houston is adequate for its walkability. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for its high level of walkability.
Houston is generally not a very walkable city. The most walkable neighborhood is the historic Houston Heights, but most parts of the city aren't very walkable.
Big Island of Hawaii is not a walkable city. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.
For even more information, also check out Is Houston Worth Visiting? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Worth Visiting?.
Houston and Big Island of Hawaii both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Big Island of Hawaii than Houston because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Houston, and 5-14 days is enough time in Big Island of Hawaii.
Families should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Houston. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Big Island of Hawaii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Houston. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Island of Hawaii that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Houston 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 Big Island of Hawaii.
Houston is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
In Big Island of Hawaii, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
In Big Island of Hawaii, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Many people visit Houston for five days. You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Houston. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
The sprawling big city of Houston offers museums and nightlife. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Big Island of Hawaii. In Big Island of Hawaii, you'll find museums and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Houston is $262, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $250. 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 Houston and Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Houston or Big Island of Hawaii? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii and Houston 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Houston and Big Island of Hawaii, 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 Houston Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.
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.
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Houston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Houston is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 84°F (29°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. Houston usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Big Island of Hawaii. Most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Houston is cooler than Big Island of Hawaii in the autumn. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Houston usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Houston as well as Big Island of Hawaii. The winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.
In the winter, Houston is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the winter temperatures in Houston in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 72°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Houston usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In April, Houston is generally around the same temperature as Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 70°F (21°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In April, Houston usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Houston | Big Island of Hawaii | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
Feb | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
Apr | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
May | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
Sep | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) |