A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kuala Lumpur vs. Houston for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

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 Kuala Lumpur and Houston. 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.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a historic, modern, and welcoming city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and shopping.

Kuala Lumpur and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kuala Lumpur than Houston. While Houston is larger than Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kuala Lumpur is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Houston attracts visitors for its music. Kuala Lumpur is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also well known for The Petronas Twin Towers. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA.

The Petronas Twin Towers

How is Kuala Lumpur different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Kuala Lumpur are among the most recognizable in the world. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

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.

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

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Kuala Lumpur, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

Houston is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Nightlife?

The excellent nightlife scene is relatively similar in Kuala Lumpur and Houston.

Kuala Lumpur has a large number of nightlife venues. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Houston is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a good destination for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Houston. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Kuala Lumpur make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Houston are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Kuala Lumpur frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Kuala Lumpur is a great city to visit for backpackers. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston Better for Students?

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for students. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Kuala Lumpur is a very popular place to visit for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

It's common for students to visit Houston. It's a large city with a number of universities and a large student population.

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

Kuala Lumpur is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Kuala Lumpur can get you around easily. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

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.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Houston a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Houston is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.

Kuala Lumpur is a very walkable city. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Kuala Lumpur and Houston. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Kuala Lumpur than in Houston. Usually, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 2-3 days is enough time in Houston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Because Kuala Lumpur is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Houston, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this southern city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Because Kuala Lumpur is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Kuala Lumpur is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kuala Lumpur has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the diverse big city of Houston. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kuala Lumpur. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kuala Lumpur. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Houston is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Houston?

Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Kuala Lumpur during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the summer, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Houston. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Kuala Lumpur is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Houston. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Houston. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Houston. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Houston. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Kuala Lumpur