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

Should you visit Melbourne or Houston?

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

Should I visit Melbourne 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Houston

Houston is a southern, one-of-a-kind, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Houston?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Houston. Melbourne is bigger than Houston, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its food, beaches, and shopping, while Houston is more popular for its music and big city activities. Melbourne is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Houston is well known for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA.

How is Melbourne different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Houston.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

Many visitors head to Houston specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Melbourne or Houston? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Melbourne is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Melbourne. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

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 Melbourne or Houston Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Houston.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

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 Melbourne or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne is not a live music destination.

Is Melbourne or Houston Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is well known for the beache. However, Houston is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Houston is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Houston?

Melbourne is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Melbourne is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

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 Melbourne or Houston Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Melbourne or Houston.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Melbourne is very family-friendly. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

Houston is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Melbourne or Houston Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Melbourne and Houston make for a notable place to visit.

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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 Melbourne or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Melbourne is a good destination for backpackers. However, Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of backpackers visit Melbourne. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Melbourne or Houston Better for Students?

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

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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

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

Melbourne is well known for its public transit. However, Houston is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

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 Melbourne or Houston a more walkable city?

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

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Houston?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.

One day in Melbourne or Houston?

Because Melbourne is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the city of Houston. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Melbourne or Houston?

Because Melbourne 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. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer.

You'll find live music and food around the one-of-a-kind big city of Houston. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Melbourne or Houston?

Melbourne is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Melbourne has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the sprawling city of Houston. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Melbourne or Houston?

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

Houston is a popular choice for travelers. 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 will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 Melbourne and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Melbourne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific 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 Melbourne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Melbourne 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 Melbourne.

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

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Houston?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Houston?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Houston has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Melbourne is cooler than Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 20°C (68°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C)in July.

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Houstonin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Houston. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. 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 the autumn, Melbourne is cooler than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C)in October.

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Houstonin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Houston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In July, Melbourne is generally cooler than Houstonin January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Houstonin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Melbourne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.

Melbourne is much colder than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C)in April.

In October, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Houstonin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Melbourne