A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Chicago vs. Pasadena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Chicago or Pasadena?

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 Pasadena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Chicago or Pasadena?

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.

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

Which city is cheaper, Pasadena or Chicago?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $221, while the average daily cost in Pasadena is $50. 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 Chicago and Pasadena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chicago $152
    Pasadena $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chicago $304
    Pasadena $40
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Pasadena

Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Pasadena? 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.

Hotels in Chicago


Hotels in Pasadena


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 Pasadena Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chicago $29
    Pasadena $17
Typical Local Transportation prices in Chicago

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:


  • Parking
    $19
  • Taxi Ride
    $10
  • Taxi from Airport
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:

  • Private Airport Transfer: O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Chicago: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Chicago to O’Hare International Airport (ORD): $43
  • Private Airport Transfer: Midway International Airport (MDW) to Chicago: $55
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Chicago to Midway International Airport (MDW): $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Midway Airport to Chicago City: $66
  • Private Departure Transfer from Chicago City to Midway International Airport: $66
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago O'Hare Airport to Chicago City: $78
  • Private Departure Transfer from Chicago City to O'Hare International Airport: $78
  • Arrival Private Transfer Chicago O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago by Sedan Car: $79
  • Departure Private Transfer Chicago City to O'Hare Airport ORD by Sedan Car: $79
  • Private Departure Transfer to Chicago Airports (ORD)(MDW): $80
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Airports (ORD) (MDW): $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Pasadena?

Prices for flights to both Pasadena 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Chicago $37
    Pasadena $15
Typical Food prices in Chicago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:


  • Dinner for 1
    $24
  • 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: $27
  • Learn to Make Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza with a Local: $49
  • Lonely Planet Experiences: River North Historical Food Tour: $61
  • Private Fusion Cooking Class in Downtown Chicago: $64
  • Best in Chow: Chicago River North Food Tour: $64
  • Signature Food Tour at Chicago's Navy Pier: $64
  • Skip the Line: Tommy Gun's Garage Dinner and Show Ticket: $67
  • Small-Group Chicago Food Tour: Gold Coast and Old Town: $75
  • Best of Chicago Tour Including a Deep-Dish Pizza: $75
  • River North Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Chicago's Wicker Park Food Tour: $75
  • Private Indian-Mexican Fusion Cooking Class with a Modern Cook: $78

Typical Food prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chicago $34
    Pasadena -
Typical Entertainment prices in Chicago

Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Sears Tower (family of 4)
    $102
  • Aquarium for 4
    $118
  • Water Taxi (family of 4)
    $22
  • IMAX Movie for Two
    $35
  • Shakespeare Play (2)
    $116
  • Art Institute (2)
    $36
  • 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:

  • A Storied Neighborhood: Dance the dialectic with Bill Ayers on an audio tour: $5.00
  • Discovering Vintage The Loop Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap: $5.34
  • Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Chicago Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.00
  • Skip the Line: American Writers Museum Admission Ticket: $14
  • Pilsen Walking Tour of Local Publicly Displayed Art: $15
  • Behind-the-Scenes Tour of Historic Chicago Theatre: $18
  • Chicago Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • Windy City Ghost Tour: $24
  • Street Art & Mural Tours By Native 312- Wabash Arts Corridor: $25
  • In the Streets: Milwaukee Ave Guided Bike Tour: $25

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • Private Self-Guided Tour of Pasadena in Los Angeles: $19
  • Private Christmas Tour with Christmas Afternoon Tea Ceremony in Old Pasadena: $220

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chicago $20
    Pasadena -

Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:

  • Haunted Chicago Ghost and Pub Walking Tour: $25
  • Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
  • Chicago Barrel Bus Craft Distillery Tour: $90
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $90
  • Ultimate Girl's Night Out in Sparkling Wine, Photo Shoot, Burlesque: $900

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Pasadena, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Pasadena.


When is the best time to visit Chicago or Pasadena?

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.

Should I visit Chicago or Pasadena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Pasadena. Many visitors come to Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chicago is around the same temperature as Pasadena in the summer. The temperature in Chicago is usually 77°F (25°C) in July, and Pasadena stays around 73°F (23°C).

Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chicago usually receives more rain than Pasadena. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0 inches (0 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chicago 77°F (25°C) 
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Pasadena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Pasadena. Most visitors come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Chicago is cooler than Pasadena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chicago in October are around 56°F (14°C), and Pasadena is about 68°F (20°C).

Chicago usually gets more rain in October than Pasadena. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chicago 56°F (14°C) 
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Pasadena in the Winter?

Both Pasadena and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Chicago because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

The weather in Chicago can be very cold. In January, Chicago is generally much colder than Pasadena. Temperatures in Chicago average around 25°F (-4°C), and Pasadena stays around 56°F (13°C).

In January, Chicago usually receives less rain than Pasadena. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chicago 25°F (-4°C) 
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C)

Should I visit Chicago or Pasadena in the Spring?

Both Pasadena and Chicago during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

Chicago is cooler than Pasadena in the spring. The temperature in Chicago is usually 52°F (11°C) in April, and Pasadena stays around 62°F (17°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually gets more rain in April than Pasadena. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Pasadena receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chicago 52°F (11°C) 
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Pasadena and Chicago

Chicago Pasadena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°F (-4°C) 1.9 inches (47 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Feb 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Mar 41°F (5°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Apr 52°F (11°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm) 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm)
May 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Jun 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Jul 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm)
Aug 76°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Sep 68°F (20°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 56°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 44°F (7°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm)
Dec 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)


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Chicago vs. Pasadena Travel Comparison

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