Which place is cheaper, Houston or San Juan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Juan or Houston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan 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.
Where Should I go: San Juan or Houston?
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $192Houston $262
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $192, 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 San Juan and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Houston $284
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Houston
Looking for a hotel in San Juan 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.
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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $210
- Mendoza: One-Way Private Transfer from Airport: $25
- Old Walking Tour with Shopping and Hotel Transfer: $70
- Oneway Transfer San Juan to Ceiba: Ferry, Vieques/Culebra Airport: $80
- Oneway Transfer- San Juan(SJU, hotel, airbnb, port) to Río Grande: $68
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $105
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 11Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $103
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Private Transfers, 14Pax Lux Sprinter Van: $124
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, 16Pax Mercedes Van, Select Zone: $130
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Ford Premium SUV, Select Zone: $87
- Puerto Rico Island Wide Transfer, Lexus Luxury Sedan, Select Zone: $81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- William P.Hobby Airport (HOU): Transfer to Port of Galveston: $540
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): Transfer to Houston: $347
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $193
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port: $193
- George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $193
- RoundTrip transfer in private minivan from-to HoustonAirport in Houston Downtown: $176
- William P. Hobby Airport to Galveston Port Arrival Transfer: $168
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $168
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and San Juan 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
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Food Meals for one daySan Juan $36Houston $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Old San Juan Sunset Food Tour with Drinks: $156
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walk and Food Tour: $159
- City Lights Sky High Dinner Experience: $165
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $170
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Houston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Houston.
- Seasonal Pizza From Scratch Experience in Houston: $55
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $70
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $72
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
- 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
- Houston Heights Culture and Food Tour: $95
- Montrose Food Tour: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Juan $49Houston $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historic Buildings: $5.99
- Discover Old In-App Audio Tour of History: $11
- Self-Guided Tour with Audio Guide: $14
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $20
- Old Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $25
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Certified Guide: $30
- History, Legends, & Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Legacy Tour at Casa BarcadÍ in Puerto Rico: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Skip-the-Line Heritage Tour Ticket: $46
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
- The Art of Fufu Cookbook Experience: West African Soup & Fufu : $100
- 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
- 3D Printer Factory Tour plus 2 ft Tall Rocket!: $31
- 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: $85
- Astroville Private Best of Houston City Driving Tour: $375
- Astroville Tunnel Tour & NASA Space Center Admission with Shuttle: $85
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Conditioned): $32
- Astroville Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston (Air-Condtioned): $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Houston $13
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Pinones Pub crawl in Puerto Rico: $50
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
- Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands 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 San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan 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 San Juan or Houston?
Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Houston. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. San Juan usually gets less rain in July than Houston. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Autumn?
Both Houston and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. 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 October, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Houston. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Winter?
Both Houston and San Juan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is much warmer than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Houston. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, San Juan is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than Houston. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and San Juan
| San Juan | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.