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    pay to stay

    Houston Airbnb visitors pay the highest surcharges in Texas, Forbes finds

    Amber Heckler
    Apr 13, 2023 | 11:45 am
    Houston Wish-listed Airbnb

    Houston travelers pay an average surcharge of 45 percent for an Airbnb in the city, earning a top 10 spot in Forbes' report at No. 8.

    Airbnb

    Travelers to Houston are discovering that event when they find the perfect Airbnb with the right price for their travel dates, they watch their trip total skyrocket to an incomprehensible amount after the cleaning and “service” fees. Add to that the laminated list of chores to complete before leaving, which can lead to charges after the stay if not completed.

    In its latest findings, financial publication Forbes Advisor calculated that Houston travelers pay an average surcharge of 45 percent for an Airbnb in the city, earning a top 10 spot in the report at No. 8.

    That also makes H-Town the Texas city with the most expensive Airbnb fees. Forbes’ expert analysts looked at 32,000 listings across 100 of the most popular markets on Airbnb to find common trends.

    Houston's percentage of high fees is much higher than the nationwide average, which is 36 percent. Though the city's average nightly Airbnb rate is $193, guests pay 15 percent in both cleaning and service fees, on top of another 15 percent in taxes. That’s a good dent in your wallet.

    Nearby visitors to Galveston pay just six percent less than their Houston-destined counterparts, at 39 percent, earning them No. 33 in Forbes' report. Guests do pay a higher nightly rate in the coastal town — around $245 — but only pay 12 percent in cleaning fees and taxes. It's the 15 percent service fees that really solidify the anti-financially friendly label.

    The Texas city with the lowest fees is Fort Worth, appearing much, much lower than Houston at No. 77 on the list. The average Airbnb costs $225 a night, with 12 percent in cleaning fees, 15 percent in service fees, and 5 percent in taxes.

    Here’s a look at every Texas city that appeared in the top 100:

    • No. 8 – Houston: 45 percent total fees
    • No. 33 – Galveston: 39 percent total fees
    • No. 47 – San Antonio: 37 percent total fees
    • No. 67 – Dallas: 34 percent total fees
    • No. 69 – South Padre Island: 34 percent total fees
    • No. 71 – Austin: 33 percent total fees
    • No. 77 – Fort Worth: 33 percent total fees

    Atlanta is the U.S. city with the highest percentage in fees for the average Airbnb stay, totaling an unfathomable 48 percent. Surprisingly, an Airbnb stay in New York City will only come with 23 percent in total fees, making it the lowest percentage out of all the top 100 cities.

    In the report, publicist Tracy Lamourie criticized Airbnb hosts and property managers for charging excessive fees, calling it "disingenuous."

    “I’m old enough to remember when Airbnb was a more wallet-friendly alternative to hotels. That’s only rarely true these days,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Dustin Abney, the CEO of vacation-rental management company Portoro, defended Airbnb and praised the company's transparency around its listings with the fee breakdown. He explained "most guests" are charged fees without knowing where that money truly goes.

    “Most guests also assume that property managers or hosts are trying to price-gouge them, when this usually is not the case,” Abney said. “In reality, there are many hidden costs that go into running a short-term rental, and these costs fall on property managers to pay.”

    The full report and its methodology can be found on forbes.com.

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    LIVING HISTORY

    Texas Revolution comes to life at new immersive attraction in Gonzales

    Jef Rouner
    Dec 2, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    Texas Legacy in Lights
    Facebook/Texas Legacy in Lights
    'Texas Legacy in Lights' puts audiences in the midst of Texas history.

    A brand new way to experience the history of the Lone Star State has debuted at the Gonzales Memorial Museum, located about two hours from Houston. Texas Legacy in Lights bills itself as the "world's first permanent, narrative-driven, live-action projection mapping film."

    The film was produced and directed by Gonzales native John Franklin Rinehart, who used 3D mapping projection to bring to life the story of the Texas Revolution starting in 1835, including the Battle of Gonzales. It is projected in HD on the museum’s façade after dark, and audiences are encouraged to sit on the museum lawn to take in the one-of-a-kind visual presentation that puts them in the middle of the action.

    "It's a great experience for our city," says Gonzales Mayor Isaac Anzaldua. "Everybody here seems to be enjoying themselves, and with this, they begin to understand where they came from. We still embody the same spirit of 'come and take it' that they had back in 1835."

    The film delves into the little-known history of the iconic "Come and Take It" flag created by Sarah DeWitt, who sewed it from her daughter's wedding dress. Peggy Schott (Fear the Walking Dead) portrays the iconic Texas pioneer.

    "I had family in Texas before the Revolution who were there, and I was so excited to join this project," Schott says in a press release. "It's hard to find stories of the women from that time. I'm honored to play Sarah DeWitt and to tell her story in a way that will inspire people for years to come."

    A woman's face in the Texas Legacy in Lights Show An image from the immersive new Texas history projection show. Photo courtesy of Texas Legacy in Lights

    Most stories of the Texas Revolution focus on the more famous moments at the end of the war, such as the fall of the Alamo and the decisive victory at San Jacinto. Texas Legacy of Lights, instead, highlights the opening volleys in the war for independence from Mexico, many of which took place in and around Gonzales.

    "One hundred years from now," Mayor Anzaldua says, "our community will look back and see how we continued to embody the Come and Take It spirit — a spirit of determination, love, and peace. To know that we share a part in shaping the future of our great city is exciting and very rewarding."

    The outdoor presentation runs Tuesday-Sunday at 8:25 pm and 9:15 pm at the Gonzales Memorial Museum (414 Smith St). Screenings are free and open to the public. Watch the trailer for the film here:

    gonzalestexas historyentertainmentinnovationcome and take ithistorymuseums
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