A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Houston vs. Moab for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Houston or Moab?

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 Houston and Moab. 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

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 food, shopping, and museums.

Moab

Moab is a active, scenic, and adventurous town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and food.

Houston and Moab: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Houston or Moab?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Houston. Although Houston and Moab are popular destinations, Houston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Houston is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Moab attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Moab is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its desert landscapes and the iconic arches found at Arches National Park. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Houston different from Moab?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Houston or Moab?

Houston is great for its historical sights. However, Moab is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Houston offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

Moab offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that will teach you about the geology and history. You can pop in the Moab Museum or the Film Museum at Red Cliffs Ranch, as well as the galleries around town.

Is the Food Better in Houston or Moab? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Houston and Moab 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.

Moab is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The town has grown over the years and now you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants that serve decent food. There are steakhouses, pizzerias, and even a couple ice cream shops.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Nightlife?

Houston is great for nightlife. However, Moab is not a good destination for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Houston for the nightlife scene. 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 Moab specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The town has grown significantly and you'll find bars, taverns, and breweries where you can hang out in the evening, but it's still a quiet place with a laid back atmosphere.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for live music. However, Moab is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Moab is not a live music destination.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Hiking?

Moab is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Houston is not a hiking destination.

Moab is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The area is filled with hiking trails, both inside the nearby national parks as well as outside. Canyonlands National Park is large with impressive overlooks, while Arches National Park has fun hikes that take you by diverse arches and include many opportunities for scrambling. Outside of the park, hikers can visit Corona Arch or search for dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Tracks Trail.

Houston is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Houston or Moab?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Moab and Houston.

Houston offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Moab has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are gift shops, places to buy outdoor equipment, and convenient stores around town. There are also a number of art galleries that sell local items or impressive photography.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Families?

Both Houston and Moab are superb family-friendly destinations.

Houston is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Moab. It's a world of outdoor adventures. You'll find river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, and many kid-friendly trails. There's also the Tracks Museum, where kids can learn about dinosaurs as well as swimming pools or swimming holes in the area.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Couples?

Moab is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Moab frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The area is filled with adventurous fun, with everything from world-class hikes to impressive rafting trips. The dramatic landscape provides the backdrop for a truly spectacular trip.

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.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Moab is well known for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Moab is a great town to visit for backpackers. The town has many campgrounds and even a few hostels. Arches National Park has only a few backcountry overnight camping sites. Terrain is rough and most areas aren't accessible by trail.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Houston or Moab Better for Students?

Houston is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Moab 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.

Moab is not popular with students.

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

Houston is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Moab is not a good destination 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 Moab. There are efforts to create a transportation program within town, but there are limited transportation options available. If you book a tour, they usually provide transportation.

Is Houston or Moab a more walkable city?

Houston and Moab both are reasonable when exploring on foot.

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.

Moab is generally not a very walkable city. While it's possible to walk around within the town, most visitors don't come to visit they town, they come to explore the area. You'll need a car to access most points of interest in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Houston Worth Visiting? and Is Moab Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moab or Houston?

How long in Houston or Moab?

In either Houston or Moab, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Moab than Houston because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Houston, and 2-5 days is enough time in Moab.

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

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

One day in Houston or Moab?

Houston is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Moab, you'll find food and shopping. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Houston or Moab?

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Moab, you'll find shopping and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Moab has to offer.

Five days in Houston or Moab?

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Moab is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Moab has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Houston or Moab?

The one-of-a-kind city of Houston offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moab. Many people enjoy the shopping and food when visiting Moab. One reason most visitors come is for the hiking. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Houston and Moab, we can see that Moab is more expensive. And not only is Houston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Houston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Houston 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 Moab would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moab than you might in Houston.

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

Which is Bigger, Houston or Moab?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Moab. When comparing the sizes of Houston and Moab, 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.