Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Chicago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Chicago or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
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 Montreal can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Chicago or Montreal?
Chicago
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.
Montreal
While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.
Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
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 Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayChicago $288Montreal $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $288, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $209. 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 Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personChicago $198Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomChicago $396Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Montreal? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Chicago Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Chicago $37Montreal $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Meet and Greet Private SUV Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $300
- RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to Chicago Airport (ORD)- Chicago City: $276
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
- Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from MDW to Downtown Chicago: $240
- Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $240
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
- Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $220
- Departure Private Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $202
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $202
- Curbside Sedan Transfer from O'Hare Airport to Downtown Chicago: $190
- Private Round trip Transfer - Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): $189
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Private Transfer to Chicago: $188
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $223
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayChicago $49Montreal $36
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
Typical Food Prices in Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
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Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $50
- Le Bateau-Mouche À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $58
- No Diet Club: Walking food Tour with many tastings: $59
- Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $74
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $103
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $206
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Chicago $47Montreal $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chicagoland Sightseeing in Style Luxury Private Sedan: $190
- Field Museum of Natural History Early Access Ticket : $73
- 2 Hour Pier Fireworks and Evening Segway Tour in Chicago: $78
- 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour: $78
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago: $65
- 2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago: $78
- Adults Party Art Experience: $66
- Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $79
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.63
- Best of Architecture & Highlights City Private Tour: $245
- Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour by Open-Top Bus: $50
- Big Bus Sunset Tour by Open-Top Bus: $50
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Botanical Gardens (family of 4)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.49
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- McCord Stewart Museum : Entry Ticket: $15
- Montreal Zipline Adventure: $15
- Self-Guided Old Town Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $15
- Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $16
- Making Their Mark: Montreal Jewish History Walking Tour: $22
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.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayChicago $25Montreal $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
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Vodka$18
Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Montreal, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Montreal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montreal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montreal 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 Montreal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chicago Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Chicago or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Chicago and Montreal, 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.
When is the best time to visit Chicago or Montreal?
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.
Should I visit Chicago or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Chicago during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Chicago is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Chicago averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chicago. In the summer, Chicago often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Chicago gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyChicago 77°F (25°C)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Chicago or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Montreal. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In the autumn, Chicago is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chicago in October average around 56°F (14°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).
Chicago usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Chicago gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Chicago usually receives less rain than Montreal. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberChicago 56°F (14°C)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Chicago or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Montreal can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Chicago. In January, Chicago is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Chicago average around 25°F (-4°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Chicago often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Chicago gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Chicago usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryChicago 25°F (-4°C)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Chicago or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Chicago in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Chicago is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Chicago averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Chicago gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. In April, Chicago usually receives more rain than Montreal. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilChicago 52°F (11°C)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Chicago
| Chicago | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.