Travel budget and cost of living in Chicago (United States) how much does a trip cost?

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.

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

Cost of living in Chicago compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Chicago in 2024 is 13% 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

Lunch

$ 26/person
($ 18 to $ 39)

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30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 51/person
($ 36 to $ 76)

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38% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 12/person
($ 11 to $ 15)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 7.1 for 500ml
($ 5 to $ 11)

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21% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8

Imported beer

$ 4.2 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 8)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.4

Cappuccino

$ 5.6/cup
($ 4 to $ 8)

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12% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5

Fizzy drink

$ 3/can
($ 2 to $ 4)

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22% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 2.5/bottle
($ 2 to $ 3)

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23% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Chicago

1-star hotel

$ 146/night
($ 67 to $ 357)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162

2-star hotel

$ 108/night
($ 52 to $ 288)

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27% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 150

3-star hotel

$ 177/night
($ 72 to $ 494)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

4-star hotel

$ 277/night
($ 98 to $ 808)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 302

5-star hotel

$ 467/night
($ 296 to $ 850)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 452

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 200/month
($ 85 to $ 468)

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25% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 160

Room with kitchen

$ 186/month
($ 61 to $ 764)

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20% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 233

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 161/month
($ 67 to $ 406)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 200

Cottage or guest house

$ 234/month
($ 127 to $ 491)

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7% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Family room

$ 155/month
($ 59 to $ 370)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

Supermarket food budget in Chicago

Milk

$ 1/litre
($ 0.7 to $ 1.9)

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2% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 4/500g
($ 2.8 to $ 6.6)

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18% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 5.8/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 10)

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31% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.4

Eggs

$ 3.8/12 eggs
($ 2 to $ 6)

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8% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 15/kg
($ 6.6 to $ 23)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 5.3/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.8)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Tomatoes

$ 4.9/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 8.8)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.7

Potatoes

$ 2.6/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 4.5)

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10% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 2.9
($ 1.2 to $ 4)

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37% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Public and private transport budget in Chicago

Bus ticket

$ 2.5/ticket
($ 2.5 to $ 4)

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4% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.5/km
($ 1.5 to $ 3.1)

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16% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1/litre
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

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17% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 3.2
($ 3.2 to $ 4)

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8% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 81/24hrs
($ 38 to $ 887)

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19% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 69

Leisure activity budget in Chicago

Cinema

$ 16/ticket
($ 15 to $ 21)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 20/hr
($ 20 to $ 41)

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3% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Chicago

Cigarettes

$ 18/pack
($ 13 to $ 21)

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76% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 67
($ 41 to $ 101)

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30% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 51

Summer dress

$ 53
($ 31 to $ 91)

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27% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

New York City → Chicago

$ 219
(fair price: $ 168)

Manchester → Chicago

$ 638
(fair price: $ 569)

Montreal → Chicago

$ 388
(fair price: $ 337)

Edinburgh → Chicago

$ 777
(fair price: $ 661)

London → Chicago

$ 694
(fair price: $ 590)

Toronto → Chicago

$ 344
(fair price: $ 277)

Book a flight Flight prices to Chicago