Which place is cheaper, Houston or Sao Paulo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sao Paulo or Houston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sao Paulo 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.
Where Should I go: Sao Paulo or Houston?
Sao Paulo
With a population of around 11 million, and 20 million in the metropolitan area, Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil. It's also one of the wealthiest cities in the southern hemisphere, although you don't have to look far to see the income disparities and inequalities that exist. The city is diverse and culturally rich, with excellent food, music, and entertainment.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Brazil, The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, 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 daySao Paulo $53Houston $262
The average daily cost (per person) in Sao Paulo is $53, 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 Sao Paulo and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSao Paulo $30Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSao Paulo $60Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Sao Paulo and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Sao Paulo 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: Sao Paulo Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sao Paulo $5.96Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sao Paulo
Also for Sao Paulo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia Grande/Santos - Private Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos Hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Praia/Santos hotels - Arrival Transfer: $63
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Campinas Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $77
- Campinas Airport (VCP)to Praia Grande/Santos - RoundTrip Transfer: $125
- Campinas Viracopos Airport (VCP) to Sao Paulo - Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfers: Sao Paulo to Guarulhos Airport GRU in Business Car: $123
- Departure private transfer from São Paulo city to Guarulhos Airport by minibus: $197
- Downtown to Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) - Departure Private Transfer: $181
- Private Arrival Transfer | Congonhas Airport (CGH) x São Paulo City: $95
- Private Arrival Transfer | Viracopos Airport (VCP) x São Paulo City : $300
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
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH): Transfer to Houston: $349
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port: $194
- George Bush Airport (IAH) to Galveston Port - Arrival Transfer: $194
- RoundTrip transfer in private minivan from-to HoustonAirport in Houston Downtown: $176
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $169
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Arrival Private Transfer: $169
- William P. Hobby Airport to Galveston Port Arrival Transfer: $168
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $168
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $162
Is it cheaper to fly into Sao Paulo or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and Sao Paulo 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 daySao Paulo $15Houston $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sao Paulo
For Sao Paulo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Traditional Brazilian or Paulistano Cooking Class with a Chef: $130
- Authentic Brazilian Cooking Experience in SP: Feijoada & Moqueca: $189
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sao Paulo $4.08Houston $14
Tours and Activities in Sao Paulo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sao Paulo.
- Downtown São Paulo's Epic History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- São Paulo (Ibirapuera) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- São Paulo Paulista Avenue City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.89
- Walking Tour Historic Center in São Paulo: $13
- Discover Sao Paulo History Guided Tour: $27
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of São Paulo : $35
- Night Walking Tour through the Bars of Augusta street: $35
- Breakfast Tour in Bom Retiro: $43
- São Paulo: 2 Hours - Liberdade "Street Food" Tour: $54
- City Tour Meet São Paulo Half-Day: $64
- Bixiga Walking Tour: $67
- Sao Paulo Culture Walking Tour: $69
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 Houston Skyline Tour: $69
- 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: $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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySao Paulo $3.55Houston $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Sao Paulo
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sao Paulo:
- São Paulo Nightlife: Pub Crawl in the City that Never Sleeps!: $49
- Half Day Private Wine Tour from São Roque: $54
- Wine Tour in São Roque by car - tour with local guides: $98
- 4 Hours Pub Crawl in Vila Madalena: $150
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
- Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart: $115
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sao Paulo and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sao Paulo is in South America 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sao Paulo Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sao Paulo or Houston?
Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Houston. When comparing the sizes of Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo or Houston?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo or Houston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Sao Paulo as well as Houston. Also, many visitors come to Houston in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In January, Sao Paulo is generally cooler than Houstonin July. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 25°C (77°F), and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. Sao Paulo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sao Paulo usually gets more rain in January than Houstonin July. Sao Paulo gets 170 mm (6.7 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 January and JulySao Paulo 25°C (77°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Houston in the Autumn?
Both Houston and Sao Paulo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.
Sao Paulo is around the same temperature as Houston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sao Paulo averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. In April, Sao Paulo usually receives less rain than Houstonin October. Sao Paulo gets 50 mm (2 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 April and OctoberSao Paulo 22°C (72°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Houston in the Winter?
Both Houston and Sao Paulo during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Houston because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sao Paulo is much warmer than Houston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sao Paulo in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Houston averages at about 52°F (11°C)in January.
Sao Paulo usually gets less rain in July than Houstonin January. Sao Paulo gets 20 mm (0.8 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 July and JanuarySao Paulo 19°C (66°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Sao Paulo or Houston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sao Paulo and Houston. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In October, Sao Paulo is generally around the same temperature as Houstonin April. Daily temperatures in Sao Paulo average around 21°C (70°F), and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In October, Sao Paulo usually receives more rain than Houstonin April. Sao Paulo gets 90 mm (3.5 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 October and AprilSao Paulo 21°C (70°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Sao Paulo
| Sao Paulo | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 19°C (66°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 21°C (70°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.