Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Baltimore?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Baltimore and Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Baltimore is a large, industrial city and popular tourist destination in the state of Maryland. It is about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and is a hub of tourism and entertainment for the area. It has a vibrant nightlife, comfortable climate, and is a great place to visit when you're in the area. The city proper has a population of about 600,000 and the metropolitan area has 2.7 million. Its economy is centered around science, technology, engineering and math and it has many undergraduate and graduate schools including the world renowned Johns Hopkins University.
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Baltimore is $145, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $221. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Baltimore and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Baltimore or Chicago? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Baltimore:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Baltimore 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Baltimore:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Baltimore.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
Here are a few actual costs in Baltimore for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Also in Baltimore, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Baltimore and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Baltimore much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Baltimore would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Baltimore 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Baltimore.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Chicago and Baltimore are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In the summer, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Baltimore in July are around 78°F (25°C), and Chicago is about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Baltimore. Baltimore usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Baltimore gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. It's quite rainy in Baltimore. In July, Baltimore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chicago. Baltimore gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Chicago and Baltimore during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Baltimore is generally around the same temperature as Chicago. Temperatures in Baltimore average around 57°F (14°C), and Chicago stays around 56°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Baltimore gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Baltimore usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Baltimore gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Baltimore and Chicago. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Baltimore. Baltimore is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The temperature in Baltimore is usually 32°F (0°C) in January, and Chicago stays around 25°F (-4°C).
Baltimore usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Baltimore gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Baltimore usually receives more rain than Chicago. Baltimore gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Baltimore as well as Chicago. Additionally, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Baltimore is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Baltimore in April are around 54°F (12°C), and Chicago is about 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Baltimore this time of the year. In the spring, Baltimore often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Baltimore gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Baltimore usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Baltimore gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Baltimore | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 32°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 47°F (9°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 37°F (3°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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