Should you visit Chicago or Pasadena?
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.
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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Chicago and Pasadena in more detail.
Accommodation
Chicago's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $304. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $152.
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $40 for a double occupancy room in Pasadena.
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $29 per day to get around in Chicago.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $17 per day to get around in Pasadena.
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
The price of a meal in Chicago can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $37 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $15 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Pasadena cost around $15 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $6.00.
-
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.
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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:
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $34 per person, per day in Chicago. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Typical Entertainment prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Chicago may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $20 per day on alcoholic beverages.
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
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.
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