Is Houston Expensive?

Is Houston expensive to visit?

Houston is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $287. Compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in North America for its overall travel costs, comparable to places like Hilton Head Island and Jacksonville.



Houston, Texas

How expensive is Houston?

The average cost of traveling to Houston can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $287 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Houston here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Houston?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Houston will cost around $862 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $1,724.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Houston?

On average, a one week trip to Houston costs about $2,012 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $4,023.

Is it expensive to backpack in Houston?

Houston is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 5 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $48 per night. (See hostel prices in Houston here.) Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $100 and the cheapest around $25 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Houston.

  • $45 for a dorm bed at MyCrib Houston Hostel

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Houston?

Activities and things to do in Houston can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $14 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $56.

  • NASA DOUBLE PLAY COMBO (Space Center Ticket & Transport): $95
  • Seismique Immersive Art Experience Ticket: $35
  • Private Painting Experience in Houston: $69
  • Houston NASA Ticket with Transportation: $80
  • Three Hour Garden Tour: $80
  • World Cup: Houston NASA Space Center Ticket & Live Spanish Guide: $140
  • Houston City Tours: $150
  • Polaris Slingshot Kemah boardwalk 3hr tour self guided: $190

Is food expensive in Houston?

Food in Houston can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $60 on food per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $97. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • French Cooking Class in Houston (Includes 3-Course Meal): $125
  • Upscale Italian Cooking Class in Houston (Includes 4-Course Meal): $115
  • Houston Downtown Food Tour with 5 Tastings of Tradition & Fusion: $90
  • The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $80

Is transportation expensive in Houston?

The prices of local transportation in Houston can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $72 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Houston

If you're planning a trip to Houston, Texas, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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