Which place is cheaper, Houston or San Juan?
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 San Juan or Houston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Juan or Houston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: San Juan or Houston?
San Juan
If you've ever set foot on a Caribbean cruise, you've probably spent a bit of time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. However, maybe you should consider spending more than just a port day in this beautiful and historically rich city.
As the capital and largest city in all of Puerto Rico, San Juan is home to approximately 400,000 people. Established in 1521, it is also the second oldest European-founded settlement in the Americas.
As this city fuses a historic paradise with modern day energy, it has absolutely everything to offer. Intellectual wanderers, beach bums, rainforest adventurers and radical surfers will all find plenty to do in San Juan.
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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San Juan Prices
Puerto Rico PricesHouston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Juan $218Houston $287
The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan is $218, 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 San Juan and Houston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Juan $124Houston $142
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Juan $248Houston $284
Compare Hotels in San Juan and Houston
Looking for a hotel in San Juan 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: San Juan Hotel Prices and Houston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Juan $14Houston $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Juan
Also for San Juan, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Cruise Ships, Hotels, Airbnb in San Juan: $76
- Arrival Private Transfer SJU Airport to Old San Juan by Sedan: $120
- Carabali Rain Forest Round Trip Private Taxi Transfer: $200
- Departure Transfer from Old San Juan to to SJU Airport by Car: $86
- Double ATV Adventure: Private Hacienda Experience with Transfer: $289
- Premium Transfer in Airport, Hotel, Airbnb, Cruise: $25
- Private Airport Transfers to Ceiba Ferry Terminal and Airport: $155
- Private Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to San Juan Airport: $22
- Private Transfer Puerto Rico:To or From Airports, Hotels &Cruises: $33
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to Cruise Port Roundtrip Servic: $109
- Private Transfer from SJU Airport to San Juan / Rio Grande: $115
- Private Transfer from or to San Juan and Ceiba Ferry: $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Houston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Houston:
- Privat Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston: $246
- Private Transfer from George Bush Airport(IAH) to Galveston Port : $222
- SUV Airport Transfer in Houston: $200
- Sedan Airport Transfer in Houston: $165
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Port of Galveston - Arrival Private Transfer: $156
- Private Transfer from Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Port : $156
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Luxury SUV: $120
- Arrival Private Transfer: George Bush Airport IAH to Houston in Business Car: $119
- Departure Transfer: Houston to George Bush Airport IAH by Sedan: $119
- Houston George Bush Airport (IAH) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $115
- Houston Airport (HOU) to Galveston Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) to Houston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan or Houston?
Prices for flights to both Houston and San Juan 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 daySan Juan $62Houston $60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Authentic Flavors of San Juan Food Tour: $165
- FlyDining: Sunset & City Lights Dinner Over Old San Juan: $165
- Morning Old San Juan Food Tour: $169
- Cooking and Connecting with a Local in Puerto Rico: $173
- Savor the Sunset: Old San Juan Walking Food Tour: $179
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.San Juan $49Houston $14
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Juan
For San Juan, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Horseback Riding Tour$40
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Full Day Snorkeling Trip$100
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1 Hr Windsurfing Lesson$75
Tours and Activities in San Juan
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Juan.
- Transportation in San Juan, Isla verde, Condado, Hotels, Cruises & Airbnb's SJU: $14
- San Juan Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Eco Friendly Farming Tour to Explore Dorado's Most Beautiful Farm: $20
- Discover Superb Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Group Transportation in airport, cruise ships, hotels, bnb's in San Juan, PR: $23
- Old San Juan Walking Tour with a Local Certified Guide: $25
- San Juan Ghost Tour: Shrieks in the Sugarcane: $32
- Old San Juan Walking Tour: $39
- Old San Juan City Walking Tour: $39
- Historic Old San Juan Sunset Walking Tour: $39
- Top Rated El Yunque Rainforest & Waterslide – VIP SmallGroup Tour: $45
- Ron del Barrilito Heritage Skip-the-Line Tour: $46
Tours and Activities in Houston
Here are a few actual costs in Houston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Best of Houston and Galveston Tour 7 Hours Small Group: $120
- H- Town 3rd Ward Tour with 15ft Party Truck : $46
- Driving Tour & NASA Space Center Ticket/Transport: $95
- 1 Hour Private Christmas Lights Tour in Houston : $39
- 2 Hour December Holiday Lights Tour: $65
- 7-Hour Best Of Houston and Galveston Tour: $120
- 7-Hour Best Of Houston and Galveston Tour: $120
- 75 Min Best of Houston tour Small-Group : $36
- All day Galveston Tour From Houston with Tall Ship Elissa & Dolphin Watch: $235
- All-Inclusive Hip-Hop Brunch Party Bike Tour: $65
- Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide: $35
- Astroville Driving Tour & NASA Space Center Ticket/Transportation: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Juan $12Houston $13
Sample the Local Flavors in San Juan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Juan:
- Old San Juan Bar Crawl: Experience Local Hotspots: $65
- The Pinones Pub crawl Bar crawl : $70
- Local Puerto Rican Rum Distillery Tour - Ron Pepon: $90
- Puerto Rico's First and Only Craft Beer Brewery Tour! : $99
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan and Houston, we can see that Houston is more expensive. And not only is San Juan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Juan is in Caribbean Islands and Houston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to San Juan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan 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 Houston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Houston than you might in San Juan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan Expensive? and Is Houston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Juan or Houston?
Houston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Juan. When comparing the sizes of San Juan 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 San Juan or Houston?
Houston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Juan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Juan as well as Houston. San Juan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Houston because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, San Juan is around the same temperature as Houston. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Juan in July average around 28°C (83°F), and Houston averages at about 84°F (29°C).
It's quite rainy in Houston. San Juan usually gets less rain in July than Houston. San Juan gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.8 inches (122 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Juan 28°C (83°F)Houston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Autumn?
Both Houston and San Juan are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Houston this time of year.
In October, San Juan is generally a little warmer than Houston. Daily temperatures in San Juan average around 28°C (82°F), and Houston fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Houston. It's quite rainy in San Juan. In October, San Juan usually receives more rain than Houston. San Juan gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Juan 28°C (82°F)Houston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Winter?
Both Houston and San Juan during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Houston for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
San Juan is much warmer than Houston in the winter. The daily temperature in San Juan averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Houston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
San Juan usually gets less rain in January than Houston. San Juan gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Juan 25°C (77°F)Houston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit San Juan or Houston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan and Houston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Houston in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, San Juan is a little warmer than Houston. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Juan in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Houston averages at about 70°F (21°C).
In April, San Juan usually receives less rain than Houston. San Juan gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Houston receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Juan 26°C (79°F)Houston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Houston and San Juan
| San Juan | Houston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 inches (132 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.