A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Nashville vs. Houston for Music, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Nashville 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 Nashville 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.

Nashville

Nashville is a southern, country music lovers, and eclectic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Nashville and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nashville or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston than Nashville. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Houston is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Nashville attracts visitors for its music and resorts. Nashville is more touristy than Houston and is popular for its influence in country music and its many live music venues. Houston is famous for its sprawling size, its local Texas restaurants, and being the home to NASA. It is also well known for The Space Center Houston.

How is Nashville different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Houston is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Houston. 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.

Nashville offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It is famous as the home of the Grand Ole Opry. It's also where you'll find the Country Music Hall of Fame and the unique Johnny Cash Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Nashville and Houston both to be nice destinations.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nashville. The city is known for some southern favorites including southern barbecue, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Houston. 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 Nashville or Houston Better for Nightlife?

The very good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Nashville and Houston.

Nashville has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is popular for it's music scene, particularly the country music scene. You can take in one of the free Honky Tonks or head to a rooftop bar. It's also a popular destination for bachelor and bachelorette parties.

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 Nashville or Houston Better for Music?

Nashville is a world-class destination for its live music scene. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Nashville The city is famous for country music, blues, and rock and roll. Popular venues include The Basement, The 5 Spot, and The Cannery Complex.

The music scene in Houston is active and vibrant. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Resorts?

Nashville is a good destination for its resorts. However, Houston is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Nashville makes a nice vacation spot. There are a couple of famous resorts in the area including the Gaylord Opryland Resort, the Hermitage Hotel, and the Omni Nashville Hotel.

Houston is not a resort destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nashville or Houston?

Houston is a city with good options for shopping. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its shopping opportunities.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Houston. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Nashville has some nice offerings. The town has a number of boutique shops as well as major department stores. You'll find all of the major American chains around town.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Christmas?

Nashville is a good destination for its Christmas activities. However, Houston does not offer Christmas activities.

Nashville offers some nice Christmas activities. Several different venues decorate beautifully for the Christmas season including the Gaylord Opryland.

Houston does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Families?

Houston is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nashville is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Houston is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Nashville. The city has a handful of kid-friendly activities like a science center and kid-friendly music venues.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Couples?

Both Nashville and Houston are nice destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nashville is a nice destination for couples. For music lovers, this is the ultimate couple's destination. There are also a number of romantic activities around town including horse drawn carriage rides through the downtown. To enjoy the beautiful weather, head to Centennial Park or take a hike in Forest Hills.

Houston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's a surprising diversity of restaurants around the city. There are also performing arts productions and many outdoor parks and gardens.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Nashville. There are one or two hostels around town and there's a great live music scene that attracts a young crowd.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Nashville or Houston Better for Students?

Houston is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for students.

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

Nashville is a decent spot for students. Several universities bring in international students, but the city is smaller and it isn't the most popular student destination in America.

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

Houston is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Nashville. Public transportation is very limited and you really need a car to explore the city in depth.

Is Nashville or Houston a more walkable city?

Houston is a decent place to visit for its walkability. However, Nashville is lacking in good options for its high level of walkability.

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.

Nashville is not a walkable city. There aren't many parts of the city that are pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Houston or Nashville?

How long in Nashville or Houston?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nashville and Houston. In our opinion, Houston has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Houston than Nashville. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Nashville or Houston?

In Nashville, you'll find nightlife and live music. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Houston because there is so much to do. 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 Nashville or Houston?

In Nashville, you'll find live music and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nashville has to offer.

People visit Houston because there is so much to do. 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 Nashville or Houston?

Nashville is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Nashville or Houston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nashville. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nashville. One reason most visitors come is for the live music. 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 Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nashville or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Nashville. When comparing the sizes of Nashville 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 Nashville or Houston?

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 Nashville or Houston in the Summer?

Both Houston and Nashville during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nashville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Nashville is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Nashville in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nashville usually gets less rain in July than Houston. Nashville gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nashville and Houston. Many travelers come to Nashville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Nashville is generally cooler than Houston. Daily temperatures in Nashville average around 62°F (17°C), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Nashville usually receives less rain than Houston. Nashville gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nashville or Houston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nashville as well as Houston. Many visitors come to Nashville in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Nashville can get quite cold in the winter. Nashville is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Nashville averages around 38°F (4°C) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

Nashville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Houston. Nashville gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nashville or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Nashville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Nashville for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Houston because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Nashville is cooler than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nashville in April average around 62°F (16°C), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

It's quite rainy in Nashville. In April, Nashville usually receives more rain than Houston. Nashville gets 4.3 inches (110 mm) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Houston and Nashville