A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Karachi vs. Houston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Karachi or Houston?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Karachi 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: Karachi or Houston?

Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the most populous city in Pakistan, and sixth most populous city proper in the world. Karachi, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is the financial and commercial center of the nation, as well as its largest port. The pace of life here is more hurried, and social attitudes are far more liberal than elsewhere in Pakistan. Locals call it the City of Lights, the City of The Quaid, and the City that Never Sleeps. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants along with refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins, who generally come to the city to settle permanently.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Pakistan, The Best Historical Tours in Pakistan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.


Which place is cheaper, Houston or Karachi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Karachi is $26, while the average daily cost in Houston is $262. 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 Karachi and Houston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Karachi $11
    Houston $142
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Karachi $22
    Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Karachi and Houston

Looking for a hotel in Karachi 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.

Hotels in Karachi


Hotels in Houston


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: Karachi Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Karachi $4.58
    Houston $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
  • Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): $51
  • Round-Trip Shuttle Transfer to NASA Space Center: $54
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $60
  • Private One-way George Bush Airport Transfer To/From Houston: $71
  • Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $81
  • Transfer in private minivan from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $88
  • Transfer in private minivan from Houston City Center to George Bush Airport: $88
  • Departure Private Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH in Business Car: $106
  • Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $108

Is it cheaper to fly into Karachi or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Karachi 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Karachi $11
    Houston $35

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Karachi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Karachi.

  • Private Karachi Street Food Tour: $94
  • Half-Day Karachi Burns Road Private Victoria Ride with Dinner: $100
  • Street Food Tour of Karachi: $199

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: $70
  • Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
  • 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
  • Montrose Food Tour: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Karachi $5.07
    Houston $14

Tours and Activities in Karachi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Karachi are as follows:

  • Karachi City Tour : $129
  • UNESCO World Heritage Tour Near Karachi : $150
  • Karachi Sightseeing Private tour: $159
  • Full Day Private Tour in Karachi City: $162
  • Full Day Private Tour to Mohatta Palace Zainab and Burns road: $196
  • Experience local village life in Sindh: $200

Tours and Activities in Houston

Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Sights of Downtown Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.31
  • Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $9.00
  • Downtown In App Audio Walking Tour: $9.00
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $12
  • Sightseeing Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
  • Houston Astros Baseball Game Ticket at Minute Maid Park: $16
  • Austin & Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $17
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Houston with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Family Guy Experience - Houston: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Karachi $3.35
    Houston $13

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
  • Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour : $71
  • Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Karachi and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Karachi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Karachi is in Asia and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Karachi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karachi 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 Karachi.

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


Which is Bigger, Karachi or Houston?

Karachi has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Karachi 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 Karachi 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 Karachi or Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Karachi and Houston. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Karachi is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Karachi in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Karachi usually receives less rain than Houston. Karachi gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Karachi 30°C (86°F) 
    Houston 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Karachi or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Karachi as well as Houston. Also, 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, Karachi is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Karachi average around 29°C (84°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Karachi usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Houston 71°F (22°C)

Should I visit Karachi or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Karachi 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.

Karachi is much warmer than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Karachi averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Karachi usually receives less rain than Houston. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Karachi 19°C (66°F) 
    Houston 52°F (11°C)

Should I visit Karachi or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Karachi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Karachi is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Karachi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Karachi usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Karachi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Karachi 29°C (84°F) 
    Houston 70°F (21°C)

Typical Weather for Houston and Karachi

Karachi Houston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Mar 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 70°F (21°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
May 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 76°F (25°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Jun 31°C (88°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 81°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 30°C (86°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 84°F (29°C) 4.8 inches (122 mm)
Aug 30°C (86°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 83°F (29°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Sep 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Oct 29°C (84°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 71°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Nov 24°C (75°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 63°F (17°C) 4.1 inches (104 mm)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)