Which place is cheaper, Virginia or Texas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Texas or Virginia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Texas and Virginia. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Texas or Virginia?
Texas
Texas is the second largest and second most populated state in the United States. It measures 267,000 square miles in size and exploring even a large section of the state takes longer than you might expect. The size and distinctive culture of the area brings much pride to the state's natives. The state was briefly its own country for ten years, starting in 1836 after the residents rebelled as a territory of first Spain and then Mexico. It then joined the United States in 1845. The state maintains its independent personality and many Texans proudly display the state flag near their home or car.
Virginia
One of the original thirteen British colonies, Virginia is a place of rich history and varied environments. You might explore the historic settlement of Colonial Williamsburg, dive into the current culture of its major cities, or get lost in nature along the coast or in the scenic landscape of the Appalachian Mountains. There's a little something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTexas $198Virginia $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Texas is $198, while the average daily cost in Virginia is $161. 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 Texas and Virginia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTexas $80Virginia $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTexas $160Virginia $160
Compare Hotels in Texas and Virginia
Looking for a hotel in Texas or Virginia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Texas $49Virginia $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Texas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Texas:
- Private Departure Transfer to Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW: $40
- El Paso International Airport (ELP) to El Paso - Arrival Private Transfer : $40
- El Paso to El Paso International Airport (ELP) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Dallas to Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $41
- Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Dallas to Dallas Airport (DAL) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Dallas Airport (DAL) to Dallas - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Austin City to Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS) to Austin City - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Private Arrival Transfer from Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston George Bush Airport IAH: $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Virginia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Virginia:
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Dulles Airport: $195
- Airport Transfer to or from Mclean, VA and Reagan Airport(DCA): $188
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Transfer To or From Reston and Dulles International Airport: $180
- Private transfer to or from Reston and Ronald Reagan National Airport: $200
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $72
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Texas or Virginia?
Prices for flights to both Virginia and Texas 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 dayTexas $43Virginia $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Texas
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Texas.
- Happy Hour West Village Food Tour: $39
- East Austin Food Tour: $44
- Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk Dinner and Photo Package: $51
- Seasonal Pizza From Scratch Experience in Houston: $55
- Murder Mystery Dinner and Show: $66
- Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access: $72
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $75
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $76
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $76
- Devour Downtown Austin Walking Food Tour: $80
- Houston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $85
- Deep Ellum Foodie Lovers Tour with Food Tours of America: $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Virginia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Virginia.
- The Carytown Food Tour in Richmond: $80
- Church Hill Food Tour in Richmond, VA: $80
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond: $85
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $90
- Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $101
- Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $126
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- Norfolk Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise: $140
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
- Roanoke Ebike Food Tour: $150
- Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Texas $23Virginia $24
Tours and Activities in Texas
Here are a few actual costs in Texas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Stockyards Haunted Self Guided Audio App Walking Tour: $6.50
- Historic San Antonio Audio APP and GPS Private Self Guided Tour: $6.75
- Private Self-Guided Famous Ghosts Audio Tour in San Antonio: $6.75
- Self-Guided Ghost Tour on the Galveston Strand: $6.75
- Historic Dallas Downtown Solo Self Guided Walking Tour : $7.75
- Sights of Downtown Houston Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
- Houston Self-Guided Audio Tour : $9.00
- Big Bend National Park Self Guided Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Waco by Wacky Walks: $10
- Kennedy Assassination Walking Tour - Oswald Was Framed: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Houston by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Round Rock by Operation City Quest: $10
Tours and Activities in Virginia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Virginia are as follows:
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $6.20
- Historical Fredericksburg SmartPhone App Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Blue Ridge Parkway Virginia Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Wacky Walks: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Virginia Beach by Wacky Walks: $10
- Shenandoah: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Roanoke to Afton) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Crime Solving Detective Experience Ashburn & Sterling: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTexas $19Virginia $19
Sample the Local Flavors in Texas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Texas:
- Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting : $10
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- Austin Bar Hunt: Sixth Street Spree: Austin Bar Crawl: $12
- Fort Worth Bar Hunt: Foolproof Fort Worth Bar Crawl: $12
- Historical Walking Tour and Pub Crawl: $25
- Experience the Happy Hour Pub Crawl Tour in Galveston: $25
- Death Warmed Over: San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Austin Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- Downtown Austin Live Music Pub Crawl: $35
- Dallas Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $38
Sample the Local Flavors in Virginia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Virginia:
- Party Bike Pub Crawl in Downtown Norfolk: $30
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $74
- Drink Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl: $74
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Texas and Virginia, we can see that Texas is more expensive. And not only is Virginia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia 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 Texas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Texas than you might in Virginia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Texas Expensive? and Is Virginia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Texas or Virginia?
Texas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Virginia. When comparing the sizes of Texas and Virginia, 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.
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.