Should you visit Houston or Denver?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Houston and Denver. 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
Which city is cheaper, Denver or Houston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Houston is $210, while the average daily cost in Denver is $174. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Houston and Denver in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $226 for a double occupancy room in Houston.
A hotel room in Denver is about $138 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
Food
The average traveler spends about $28 per day in Houston for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The price of a meal in Denver can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $34 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $14 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Houston $28
Denver $34
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
-
Culinary Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access:
$67
-
Downtown Houston Food Tour:
$74
-
The Heights Food Tour:
$74
Typical Food prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
-
Small-Group Food Tour in Denver:
$69
-
Haunted Denver Walking Food Tour:
$73
-
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver:
$77
-
Walking Food Tour - Best of Union Station & LoDo:
$79
-
Denver Cooking Classes-Local, seasonal, and hands on menus:
$97
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Houston is $58 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The average price of local transportation around Denver is $81 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU:
$36
-
Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU:
$36
-
Private Airport Transfer: Houston to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH):
$40
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH):
$44
-
Private Departure Transfer to Houston George Bush Airport IAH:
$44
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown:
$47
-
Transfer in private vehicle from Houston Downtown to George Bush Airport:
$47
-
Transfer in private minivan from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown:
$47
-
Transfer in private minivan from Houston City Center to George Bush Airport:
$47
-
Private Airport Transfer: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Houston:
$52
-
Private Arrival Transfer from IAH Airport to Johnson Space Center:
$61
-
Arrival Private Transfer Houston George Bush Airport IAH to Houston by Sedan Car:
$62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
-
Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Luxury Car:
$117
-
Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by Minibus:
$217
-
Arrival Private Transfer Denver Airport DEN to Denver City by SUV:
$142
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car:
$109
-
Arrival Private Transfers from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Luxury Van:
$130
-
Aspen: Private Transfer to or from Denver Airport:
$1,279
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$796
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Aspen hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$1,592
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Arrival Private Transfer:
$429
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Avon/Vail Valley - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$858
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Arrival Private Transfer:
$404
-
Denver Airport (DEN) to Breckenridge - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$809
Entertainment
Houston's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $11 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Denver's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $42 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
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
-
Haunted Houston Ghost Walking Tour (All Ages):
$21
-
Space Center Houston Admission 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
-
Houston Hop on-City Tour: 2-Day Pass:
$35
-
Hop-on Houston City Tour:
$35
-
Astroville Weekend Downtown Houston Tour With Tunnel Access:
$35
-
Astroville Rockets Basketball Game Day Tour with Tunnel Access:
$36
-
The Escape Game Epic 60-Minute Adventures:
$37
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
-
Spokes and Scoops: Explore Denver's top ice cream spots on an audio bicycle tour:
$5.20
-
Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour:
$12
-
Virtual Reality Experiences for Everyone:
$21
-
Denver Scavenger Hunt Adventure:
$21
-
Haunted Walking Ghost Tour:
$21
-
Twilight Ghost Tour:
$22
-
Best of Denver Tour:
$22
-
Capitol Hill History & Ghost Tour:
$22
-
Denver Ghost Tour:
$23
-
1.5 Hour LoDo Walking Tour in Denver:
$25
-
Customized Guided Tour:
$30
-
Moscow Mule Experience:
$32
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Houston may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $11 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $4.25 on alcoholic beverages in Denver per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
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 Pass with Beer Tastings:
$29
-
Brewery Tour:
$53
-
Astroville Downtown Bar Crawl & Tunnel Access (2 Cocktails Beverages Included):
$58
-
Bar Crawl with Tunnel Access and 2 Cocktails:
$67
-
2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart:
$70
-
SUV St. Arnold Brewery Tour:
$487
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour in Lower Downtown:
$26
-
Haunted Denver Ghost and Pub Walking Tour - South Broadway (SoBo):
$27
-
3-Hour Brewery Walking Tour:
$49
-
Craft Distillery Bus Tour:
$71
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Houston and Denver, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Denver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Denver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Denver 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 Denver.
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