Which place is cheaper, Houston or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Houston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Houston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Houston?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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 The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesHouston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Houston $287
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Houston is $287. 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 Montego Bay and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Houston $284
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Houston
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
- Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
- Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
- Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
- From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
- Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- Private Transfer IAH Airport to Houston Space Center Galveston: $42
- Private Departure Transfer to Houston William P. Hobby Airport HOU: $48
- Houston to Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Private Departure Transfer from Galveston to HOU Airport: $54
- Private One-way Transfer from Houston to George Bush Airport : $77
- Private One-way Transfer from George Bush Airport to Houston: $77
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $119
- Departure Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH by Sedan: $119
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Luxury SUV: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $139Houston $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
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: $75
- Fun Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- The Heights Food Tour in Houston: $80
- Downtown Houston Food Tour: $80
- Houston Downtown Food Tour with 6 Tastings of Tradition & Fusion: $85
- East Downtown Food Tour: $90
- Houston Downtown: Secret Food Tours: $93
- French Cooking Class in Houston (Includes 3-Course Meal): $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Houston $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
- Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
- Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
- Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Entry Ticket: $10
- Houston Botanic Garden Entry Ticket: $12
- Houston Museum of Natural Sciences: Planetarium Ticket: $12
- Burke Baker Planetarium Admission Ticket: $12
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern History Tour: $15
- Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Experiential Tour: $15
- The Cistern Experience in Spanish and English Bilingual: $15
- Children's Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $20
- HTX Adventure Park Admission – ATV Rental Fee Not Included : $20
- Holocaust Museum Houston Entry Ticket: $22
- Houston Hollow Heart Hauntings Ghost Tour: $24
- Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Houston $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
Sample the Local Flavors in Houston
Also in Houston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Houston Hustle Bar Crawl: $15
- Brewery Pass with Beer Tastings: $50
- Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart: $57
- 2-Hour Downtown Brewery Tour by Electric Cart: $70
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Houston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay or Houston?
Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Houston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Houston in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Houston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
Houston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Houston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Houston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Houston. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Houston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Houston averages at about 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Houston. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Houston in the Winter?
Both Houston and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Houston. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Houston in the Spring?
Both Houston and Montego Bay during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Houston because of the activities around the city.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Houston in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Houston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Houston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.