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

Should you visit Nairobi or Houston?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Houston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Houston?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, 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 Nairobi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $61, 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 Nairobi and Houston in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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 Nairobi


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $10
    Houston $72
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.08

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $20
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $47
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $35
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Airport and Hotels Transfers: $40
  • From 7-Day Kenya Safari Trip with Meals & Transfer: $1,800
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport: Airport transfers: $50
  • Kibera Slums Kenya Day Guided Tour With Transfer.: $40
  • Mercedes Viano Private Transfer Luxury Comfort Nairobi : $250
  • NAIROBI AIRPORT TRANSFER: $23
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:

  • William P.Hobby Airport (HOU): Transfer to Port of Galveston: $544
  • William P. Hobby Airport to Galveston Port Arrival Transfer: $168
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Houston George Bush Airport to Houston Downtown: $60
  • 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
  • RoundTrip transfer in private minivan from-to HoustonAirport in Houston Downtown: $176
  • Round trip transfer in private car from-to Houston Airport in Houston Downtown: $120
  • Private One-way George Bush Airport Transfer To/From Houston: $71
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): $51
  • Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $168
  • Round-Trip Shuttle Transfer to NASA Space Center: $54

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Houston?

Prices for flights to both Houston and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $7.35
    Houston $35
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience.: $32
  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $48
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $54
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
  • Nairobi Cooking and Food Tasting Activity: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80

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.
    Nairobi $45
    Houston $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
  • Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $19
  • Nairobi City;culture and historical guided tour: $19
  • Nairobi;Downtown walking tour: $20
  • vibrant kibera slum tour: $24
  • Private Guided Nairobi City and Cultural Walking Tour: $25
  • Kibera slums half day tour from nairobi: $25
  • Memorable Daily KIBERA Slums/Toi Market Tour with Locals (2 hours): $25
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25
  • From Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Center Tour: $25
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25

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
  • 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
  • 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: $80
  • Astroville Private Best of Houston City Driving Tour: $370
  • Astroville Tunnel Tour & NASA Space Center Admission with Shuttle: $80
  • Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Conditioned): $32
  • Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Condtioned): $32
  • Austin & Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Downtown In App Audio Walking Tour: $9.00

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $15
    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


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

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


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Houston?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi 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.