Chicago travel budget

Chicago: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Chicago

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Chicago for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 88 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 23 per person
  • $ 11 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 2129*

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 159 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 58 per person
  • $ 17 per person
  • $ 16 per person

Total budget:

$ 4731*

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 247 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 102 per person
  • $ 29 per person
  • $ 31 per person

Total budget:

$ 7940*

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Chicago compared to United States in 2024

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Chicago in 2024 is 11% higher than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Chicago in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Chicago by expense type

Restaurant budget in Chicago

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Chicago is 20% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 26/person
($ 16 to $ 42)

27% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 52/person
($ 34 to $ 76)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 13/person
($ 11 to $ 16)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 8 for 500ml
($ 5 to $ 11)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.9 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 8)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 5.3/cup
($ 4 to $ 8)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 3.1/can
($ 2.3 to $ 4)

24% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2 to $ 3)

19% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Chicago

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Chicago is 8% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 168/night
($ 72 to $ 413)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 182
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 121/night
($ 54 to $ 377)

26% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 164
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 197/night
($ 75 to $ 579)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 240
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 298/night
($ 108 to $ 848)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 322
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 459/night
($ 281 to $ 912)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 487
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 198/month
($ 88 to $ 470)

15% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 173
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 205/month
($ 68 to $ 756)

19% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 253
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 192/month
($ 71 to $ 544)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 239/month
($ 114 to $ 565)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 234
Family room
Family room
$ 198/month
($ 65 to $ 525)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 221

Supermarket food budget in Chicago

On average, the price of supermarket food in Chicago is 13% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.9)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 4.2/500g
($ 2.8 to $ 6.7)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 6/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 12)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6
Eggs
Eggs
$ 4/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 6)

8% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 15/kg
($ 6.7 to $ 23)

22% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 5.7/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.9)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.1/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.9)

4% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.5)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 3
($ 1.6 to $ 5)

36% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Chicago

On average, the price of transport in Chicago is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 2.6/ticket
($ 2.6 to $ 3)

1% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 1.5/km
($ 1.5 to $ 3.1)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.1/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 1.3)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.2
($ 3.2 to $ 4)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Leisure activity budget in Chicago

On average, budget for leisure activities in Chicago is essentially the same as in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 16/ticket
($ 14 to $ 22)

9% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15
Tennis
Tennis
$ 21/hr
($ 21 to $ 42)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Chicago

On average, shopping budget in Chicago is 40% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 18/pack
($ 14 to $ 22)

72% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 68
($ 42 to $ 100)

26% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 53
($ 32 to $ 92)

21% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Chicago
New York City → Chicago
New York City → Chicago
$ 234
(fair price: $ 184)
Toronto → Chicago
Toronto → Chicago
Toronto → Chicago
$ 346
(fair price: $ 277)
Montreal → Chicago
Montreal → Chicago
Montreal → Chicago
$ 394
(fair price: $ 332)
London → Chicago
London → Chicago
London → Chicago
$ 706
(fair price: $ 597)
Manchester → Chicago
Manchester → Chicago
Manchester → Chicago
$ 673
(fair price: $ 606)
Edinburgh → Chicago
Edinburgh → Chicago
Edinburgh → Chicago
$ 820
(fair price: $ 693)

Book a flight Flight prices to Chicago




About this information on the cost of living in Chicago

The information about the cost of living in Chicago shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Chicago was updated on 22-09-2024.

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