Which place is cheaper, Fairfield or Chicago?
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 Chicago and Fairfield can help you decide which place is right for you.
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.
The city of Fairfield is in Solano County, California, in the Sacramento Valley area. It's a medium sized city that is home to the Travis Air Force Base. It's also halfway between San Francisco and Sacramento along Interstate 80. There are a handful of interesting activities in the area. Consider visiting either the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area or the Hill Slough Wildlife Area both of which have hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and boating opportunities. You can also take a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory which is in town, or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery which includes two complimentary beers and a limitless supply of pretzels. On Thursdays you can take a guided tour of the Travis Air Force Base. If you're interested in visited a working ranch, Rush Ranch is open to the public and can be a fun experience with an opportunity to visit with the animals.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $288, while the average daily cost in Fairfield is $131. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chicago and Fairfield in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Fairfield? 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.
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 Fairfield and Chicago 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 Chicago:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Fairfield:
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.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fairfield:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Fairfield, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Fairfield much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fairfield would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fairfield 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 Fairfield.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chicago Expensive? and Is Fairfield Expensive?.
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Fairfield. When comparing the sizes of Chicago and Fairfield, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Fairfield and Chicago during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Chicago is a little warmer than Fairfield. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chicago in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Fairfield averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In Fairfield, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chicago. In the summer, Chicago often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Chicago gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 439 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually gets more rain in July than Fairfield. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Fairfield. Many visitors come to Chicago in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Chicago is generally cooler than Fairfield. Daily temperatures in Chicago average around 56°F (14°C), and Fairfield fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fairfield this time of the year. Chicago usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during autumn. Chicago gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 300 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chicago usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Fairfield. Most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can be very cold during winter. Chicago is much colder than Fairfield in the winter. The daily temperature in Chicago averages around 25°F (-4°C) in January, and Fairfield fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).
In the winter, Chicago often gets less sunshine than Fairfield. Chicago gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Fairfield receives 149 hours of full sun.
Chicago usually gets less rain in January than Fairfield. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Fairfield and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Chicago is cooler than Fairfield. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chicago in April average around 52°F (11°C), and Fairfield averages at about 56°F (13°C).
It's quite sunny in Fairfield. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually receives less sunshine than Fairfield during spring. Chicago gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Fairfield receives 328 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. In April, Chicago usually receives more rain than Fairfield. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Fairfield receives 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Chicago | Fairfield | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
Feb | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
Mar | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 70°F (21°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Dec | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) |