A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Austin vs. Hilo for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Attractions

Should you visit Austin or Hilo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Hilo, 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.

Austin

Austin is a entrepreneurial, eccentric, and unconventional city. With a variety of activities, it's a big city. Austin is beautiful destination to visit. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Austin travel costs.

Hilo

Hilo is a mellow, friendly, and authentic town. Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking, museums, and food. See Hilo travel costs.

Austin and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Austin or Hilo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Austin than Hilo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Austin is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Hilo is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Hilo is more touristy than Austin and is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. Austin is well known for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population. Also, Austin is famous for The Texas Capital.

How is Austin different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hilo and Austin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Austin or Hilo?

Austin is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

Austin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Austin or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Austin is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Hilo is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Austin is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Hilo makes for a great culinary experience. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Austin is very popular for its evening party scene. However, Hilo is not known for nightlife.

Austin is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

Most people don't head to Hilo specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Music?

Austin is very popular for its music scene. However, Hilo is not a live music destination.

Austin has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Hilo is not a live music destination.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a town with a few options for its resorts. However, Austin is not a resort destination.

Hilo has a few resort options worth checking out. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Austin is not a resort destination.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a town with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hilo has a few snorkeling spots. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

Hilo has a beach worth visiting. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

Known for its hiking, Hilo draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Many visitors include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Austin or Hilo?

Austin is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Austin has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Austin or Hilo More Beautiful?

Hilo is a great destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its scenery and beauty.

Hilo is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. This side of the island is filled with beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests, and tropical gardens.

Austin is beautiful destination to visit. The city has some nearby natural beauty as well as an eclectic style.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is a great destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Hilo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Austin and Hilo are very good places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Austin. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

Many backpackers visit Hilo. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Students?

Austin is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Hilo is not popular with students.

Austin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Hilo is not popular with students.

Is Austin or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Austin and Hilo.

Public transit is generally limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Austin or Hilo a more walkable city?

Hilo is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for its high level of walkability.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

Austin is generally not a very walkable city. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Austin Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Austin?

How long in Austin or Hilo?

Both Austin and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Austin. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Austin, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

Families should spend more time in Hilo than Austin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Hilo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Hilo than Austin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Hilo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Austin than Hilo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Austin.

One day in Austin or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Austin. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Austin or Hilo?

Austin is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hilo is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Austin or Hilo?

You'll find food and shopping around the lively destination of Austin. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Austin or Hilo?

The eccentric city of Austin offers shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Hilo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Austin and Hilo, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Austin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Austin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Austin 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Austin.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Austin Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Austin or Hilo?

Austin has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Austin and Hilo, 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 Austin or Hilo?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Austin or Hilo in the Summer?

Both Hilo and Austin during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Austin is generally a little warmer than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Austin average around 87°F (30°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Austin. In the summer, Austin often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Austin gets 318 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Austin usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Austin or Hilo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Austin and Hilo. Most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hilo because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Austin is around the same temperature as Hilo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 73°F (23°C) in October, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Austin, it's very sunny this time of the year. Austin usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during autumn. Austin gets 214 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Austin usually receives less rain than Hilo. Austin gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Austin or Hilo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Austin as well as Hilo. The winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

In the winter, Austin is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Austin in January average around 51°F (11°C), and Hilo averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In the winter, Austin often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hilo. Austin gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Austin usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Austin or Hilo in the Spring?

Both Hilo and Austin are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Austin is generally around the same temperature as Hilo. Daily temperatures in Austin average around 71°F (22°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. Austin usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during spring. Austin gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, Austin usually receives less rain than Hilo. Austin gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Austin