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

Should you visit Oslo or Houston?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oslo or Houston, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Oslo

Oslo is a clean, progressive, and park-filled 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, museums, and nightlife.

Houston

Houston is a sprawling, southern, and one-of-a-kind city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and live music.

Oslo and Houston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oslo or Houston?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Houston than Oslo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Oslo is more touristy than Houston and is known for its Viking history, its locally caught seafood, its maritime museums, and its access to winter sports. 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 Oslo different from Houston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Oslo and Houston have great landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Oslo can be an interesting and educational experience. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.

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.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Oslo and Houston can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Oslo offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.

Houston has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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 Oslo or Houston Better for Nightlife?

Houston is notable for nightlife. Also, Oslo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Houston has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Oslo. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.

Is Oslo or Houston Better for Music?

Houston is a nice place to visit for live music. However, Oslo is not a live music destination.

The music scene helps keep Houston active and fun. Popular music venues include Fitzgerald's, Walter's Downtown, and The Continental Club.

Oslo is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oslo or Houston?

Houston is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Oslo is a mediocre city for its shopping opportunities.

Houston is a great destination for shopping. 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, Oslo has some nice offerings. The shopping that is available includes shopping malls and local boutique shops.

Is Oslo or Houston Better for Families?

Oslo is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Oslo is very family-friendly. The city goes out of its way to integrate kid-friendly activities into everyday life. From playgrounds and parks to interactive museums and nearby amusement parks, this city is among the most kid-friendly around.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Houston. 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 Oslo or Houston Better for Couples?

Oslo and Houston are both nice to visit as a couple.

Oslo is a nice destination for couples. You can explore castles, go on forest hikes, or enjoy a couple's massage.

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 Oslo or Houston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of backpackers visit Oslo. Notoriously expensive, this city does have some hostels, but it can be a bit challenging for those on a budget. Because many backpackers avoid the area due to the costs, it can be challenging to meet other backpackers.

Houston is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Oslo or Houston Better for Students?

Oslo is well known for students. Also, Houston is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit Oslo. The University of Oslo has an excellent reputation and welcomes many foreign students every year. The school does a lot to make sure international students feel at home here.

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

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

Oslo 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 Oslo can get you around easily. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.

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 Oslo or Houston a more walkable city?

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

Oslo is a very walkable city. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.

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 Oslo Worth Visiting? and Is Houston Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Houston or Oslo?

How long in Oslo or Houston?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Houston than Oslo. 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.

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

One day in Oslo or Houston?

Because Oslo 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the big city destination of Houston. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Oslo or Houston?

Because Oslo 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 Oslo has to offer.

Houston is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Oslo or Houston?

Oslo 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 Oslo has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find food and shopping around the sprawling big city of Houston. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Oslo or Houston?

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

The diverse city of Houston offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway, 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 Oslo and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Oslo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Oslo is in Europe 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 Oslo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Oslo 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 Oslo.

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

Which is Bigger, Oslo or Houston?

Houston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Oslo. When comparing the sizes of Oslo 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 Oslo 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 Oslo or Houston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Oslo and Houston. Many travelers come to Oslo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Oslo is much colder than Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oslo in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).

Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Oslo usually receives less rain than Houston. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Oslo or Houston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Oslo as well as Houston. Many visitors come to Oslo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Additionally, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In October, Oslo is generally much colder than Houston. Daily temperatures in Oslo average around 7°C (45°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Houston. Oslo usually gets less rain in October than Houston. Oslo gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oslo or Houston in the Winter?

Both Houston and Oslo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Oslo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Oslo can be very cold during winter. Oslo is much colder than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in Oslo averages around -4°C (25°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

In January, Oslo usually receives less rain than Houston. Oslo gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Oslo or Houston in the Spring?

Both Houston and Oslo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Oslo because of the activities around the city. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.

In the spring, Oslo is much colder than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oslo in April average around 6°C (42°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Oslo usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Oslo gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Houston and Oslo