How Much Does Houston Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Houston offers a diverse financial landscape, ranging from affordable urban exploration to high-end luxury in the Galleria and Uptown districts. With a daily solo budget between $118 and $706, it remains more accessible than major coastal hubs like New York or San Francisco. While the city's vast sprawl can increase transport costs, the presence of world-class cultural institutions and a competitive dining scene provides excellent value. Visitors can expect costs to fluctuate based on the reliance on ride-hails versus public transit and the choice of accommodation in central districts like Downtown or the Galleria. Overall, the city balances its status as a major business center with plenty of opportunities for budget-conscious travelers to experience Texas culture without a premium price tag.
Is Houston expensive to visit?
Houston is a moderately priced destination with daily costs typically ranging from $118 for budget travelers to $706+ for a luxury experience.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Houston
$118
per person /day
$294
per person /day
$706
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $353 | $883 | $2,119 |
| 5-Day Trip | $589 | $1,471 | $3,531 |
| 7-Day Trip | $824 | $2,060 | $4,943 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is recommended to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the mandatory 17% hotel occupancy tax and the standard practice of restaurant tipping, which adds approximately $18 to a $88 dinner bill.
How Does It Compare?
See how Houston stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Houston
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal A standard casual meal for one adult. | $20 |
| Craft Beer Pint Local brew in a taproom. | $7.06 |
| Mid-Range Meal for Two (3-Course) A full dining experience for a couple. | $82 |
Transport (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| METRO Day Pass Unlimited local bus and light rail for the day. | $2.94 |
| Taxi IAH Airport to Zone 8 (Night) Flat rate for late-night trips from IAH to the far south/west zones. | $112 |
| Ride-Hail (Uber/Lyft) Inner Loop A typical 5km trip within the loop. | $15 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm Bed in Central Hostel Prices for a shared dorm near the Museum District. | $38 |
| Mid-Range Downtown Hotel Standard king room in the central business district. Rates exclude ~17% occupancy tax. | $212 |
| Luxury Hotel Stay Houston's Forbes Five-Star hotel. A night costs roughly ~$647. | $647 |
Activities (5)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Space Center Houston - Adult On-site Walk-up box office price. Booking online saves ~$4.71. | $35 |
| Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) All-Access General admission. Free for everyone on Thursdays. | $24 |
| Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Guided Tour Guided tours; reservations required. Children under 9 not permitted. Closed mid-Jan to late Feb. | $15 |
| Houston Museum of Natural Science Entry to the main halls. Butterfly Center and Planetarium cost extra. Free Tue evenings 17:00–20:00. | $25 |
| Kemah Boardwalk All-Day Ride Pass Unlimited rides at the waterfront park. | $29 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| US Data eSIM (50GB) High-capacity data plan for 30 days costs ~$43. | $43 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining scene is remarkably varied, with inexpensive restaurant meals averaging ~$20 and a mid-range three-course dinner for two costing approximately ~$82. Local craft beer is a staple of the nightlife, with pints typically priced around ~$7.06 in popular districts like Montrose and The Heights.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Brothers Taco House
$2.35–$4.71Third Ward · Local chain
Legendary breakfast tacos; go before 10:00 to avoid the longest lines. A full meal is ~$7.06.
The Pit Room
$12–$25Montrose · Local chain
Top-tier Texas BBQ. The brisket sandwich is a filling lunch for ~$14.
Antidote Coffee
$3.53–$11The Heights · Bakery
Great specialty coffee and pastries in The Heights. Check for daily specials.
Hong Kong Food Street
$11–$20Chinatown · Street food area
Excellent roast duck and pork belly rice plates for under ~$13.
Turkey Leg Hut
$20–$35Third Ward · Street food area
Huge portions that easily feed two people for ~$24.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is most affordable via the METRO Day Pass for ~$2.94, which covers local buses and light rail. However, due to the city's size, many rely on ride-hails, with a 5km trip within the inner loop costing roughly ~$15, while late-night airport transfers can reach ~$112.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options vary from central dorm beds at ~$38 to high-end luxury stays at ~$647 per night. Mid-range travelers can find comfortable rooms in the Downtown area for about ~$212, though these rates typically exclude a significant 17% occupancy tax.
Accommodation Budget in Houston
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Book Space Center Houston tickets online in advance to save ~$4.71 compared to the ~$35 on-site adult price.
- 2 Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH) on Thursdays when general admission is free for all visitors, saving the usual ~$24 fee.
- 3 Utilize the METRO Q Fare Card or a Day Pass for ~$2.94 to avoid the high costs of parking and ride-hails in the central business district.
- 4 Explore the 11km Downtown Tunnel System during weekday lunch hours for a wide variety of affordable 'underground' dining options used by local workers.
- 5 Attend free nightly performances at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park; tickets for covered seating are free but must be reserved online in advance.
- 6 Stay in areas like Midtown or Montrose where boutique stays can be more affordable than the ~$212 average for Downtown business hotels.
- 7 Look for 'Happy Hour' specials at local breweries where a craft beer pint may drop below the standard ~$7.06 rate.
- 8 Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science on Tuesday evenings (17:00–20:00) when permanent exhibit halls are free, saving the ~$25 entry fee for the permanent halls.
- 9 Use the free 'Greenlink' bus shuttle which circulates through the Downtown area, connecting major office buildings and shopping centers.
- 10 Eat in the Chinatown district along Bellaire Boulevard, where high-quality meals often cost less than the ~$20 city average.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
+20-35%
Jul, Aug, Jan
-25%
Feb, May, Sep
Avoid July and August if possible; the heat and humidity are extreme. October and November offer the best weather (20–25°C (68–77°F)) and manageable prices.
Events to Watch
- ● Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (March): +50% hotels
- ● Major Medical Conferences (dates vary): +40% Medical Center hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 The Menil Collection: A world-renowned art museum in a park-like setting that is always free to the public.
- 2 Rothko Chapel: A non-denominational meditative space and work of modern art with free admission.
- 3 Waugh Drive Bat Colony: Watch hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at sunset from under the Waugh Drive Bridge for free.
- 4 Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park: A 20-meter tall semi-circular fountain that is one of the city's most photographed free landmarks.
- 5 Discovery Green: A 12-acre urban park downtown offering free yoga, movie screenings, and seasonal art installations.
- 6 The Houston Ship Channel Boat Tour: A free 90-minute round-trip boat tour of the port (requires advance reservations).
- 7 Project Row Houses: An community-based arts and culture center in the Third Ward featuring rotating art installations in historic shotgun houses.
- 8 Sam Houston Park: The city's first park features historic homes and landscaped grounds that are free to walk through.
- 9 Sabine Promenade: A scenic 1km stretch along Buffalo Bayou with views of the skyline and public art.
- 10 Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark: A world-class 2,800-square-meter skatepark with views of the downtown skyline, free for public use.
- 11 Smither Park: A quirky, folk-art inspired park filled with elaborate mosaics made from recycled materials.
- 12 Heritage Society Plaza: An outdoor museum area where visitors can view 19th-century Houston architecture from the exterior for free.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
NASA VIP Level 9 Tour
This 5-hour behind-the-scenes tour takes you into Mission Control and the astronaut training facilities.
Tasting Menu at Xochi
A world-class Oaxacan culinary journey by James Beard winner Hugo Ortega.
Courtside Rockets Tickets
Experience the intensity of NBA basketball from the front row.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Houston
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Houston and what they cost
Galveston Island
$41+ by shuttle (no direct cheap bus option)
$82
$141
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
No
Everywhere including street food and parking meters
Standard is 18–20% for table service. At bars, $1.18–$2.35 per drink is expected. For Uber/Lyft, 10–15% is typical.
Avoid 'generic' ATMs in gas stations which charge ~$5.3. Use major banks like Chase or Wells Fargo for lower fees.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$43 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$24
WiFi: Excellent in cafes, hotels, and public parks like Discovery Green
For heavy data users, an eSIM is the best value; otherwise, free public wifi is very reliable in Houston.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Houston.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Best Time to Visit
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Things to Do
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Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown