Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Houston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Houston or Montreal?
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 Montreal. 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.
Where Should I go: Houston or Montreal?
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.
Montreal
While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.
Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHouston $262Montreal $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Houston is $262, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $209. 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 Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHouston $142Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHouston $284Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Houston and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Houston or Montreal? 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: Houston Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Houston $72Montreal $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- William P.Hobby Airport (HOU): Transfer to Port of Galveston: $540
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): Transfer to Houston: $347
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $193
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port: $193
- George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $193
- RoundTrip transfer in private minivan from-to HoustonAirport in Houston Downtown: $176
- William P. Hobby Airport to Galveston Port Arrival Transfer: $168
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $168
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $223
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Houston or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHouston $35Montreal $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
- Seasonal Pizza From Scratch Experience in Houston: $55
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $72
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $87
- Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour: $90
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Houston Heights Culture and Food Tour: $95
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
Typical Food Prices in Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
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Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $50
- Le Bateau-Mouche À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $58
- No Diet Club: Walking food Tour with many tastings: $59
- Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $74
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $103
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $206
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Houston $14Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Houston Ghosts and Hauntings By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- The Art of Fufu Cookbook Experience: West African Soup & Fufu : $100
- 2 Hours H- Town Tour with 15ft Open Air Party Truck On Wheels: $49
- 2-Hour Private Sightseeing Cart Tour of Houston and Galveston: $256
- 3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!: $31
- Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide: $45
- Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide: $45
- Astroville Driving Tour & NASA Space Center Admission and Shuttle: $85
- Astroville Private Best of Houston City Driving Tour: $375
- Astroville Tunnel Tour & NASA Space Center Admission with Shuttle: $85
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Conditioned): $32
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Condtioned): $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Botanical Gardens (family of 4)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.49
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- McCord Stewart Museum : Entry Ticket: $15
- Montreal Zipline Adventure: $15
- Self-Guided Old Town Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $15
- Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $16
- Making Their Mark: Montreal Jewish History Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHouston $13Montreal $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
- Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115
Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
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Vodka$18
Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Houston and Montreal, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Montreal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montreal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montreal 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 Montreal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Houston Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Houston or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Houston and Montreal, 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 Houston or Montreal?
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 Houston or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Houston during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Houston is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Houston in July average around 84°F (29°C), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. Houston usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Houston gets 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHouston 84°F (29°C)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Houston or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Houston and Montreal. Many visitors come to Houston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Houston is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Houston average around 71°F (22°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Houston usually receives more rain than Montreal. Houston gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHouston 71°F (22°C)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Houston or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Houston as well as Montreal. Most visitors come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Houston is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Houston averages around 52°F (11°C) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Houston usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Houston gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHouston 52°F (11°C)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Houston or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Houston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Houston because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Houston is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Houston in April average around 70°F (21°C), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In April, Houston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Houston gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHouston 70°F (21°C)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Houston
| Houston | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
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.