Houston’s average hotel rates No. 8 in nation

HOUSTON – While Houston is in the top ten for most expensive cities for lodging, it’s still cheaper than Austin, according to data compiled by CheapHotels.org.

The survey ranked the 50 most popular U.S. cities by the average cost of hotel rates in October. It measured hotels within one mile of downtown of the top 50 U.S. cities, with at least three stars.

Houston is eighth on the list, with a $165 average nightly rate for a double room.

Boston is the most expensive U.S. city for hotel rental rates, with a $242 average rental rate. Austin clocked in as the most expensive Texas city and fifth nationally, averaging $174 per night. Dallas was significantly lower, at $126 per night.

Houston’s hotel industry is hot right now. A recent report predicts that demand for Houston-area hotel rooms — which increased 4.5 percent through the second quarter of 2013 — will increase 2.3 percent in 2014, 4.2 percent in 2015, 5.2 percent in 2016 and 4 percent in 2017.