Which city is cheaper, Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains 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 Poconos are a region of mountains, small towns, and natural areas in Eastern Pennsylvania. Located just a few hours from both New York City and Philadelphia, this region of 4 counties (Wayne, Pike, Monroe, & Carbon) consists of plenty of mountain scenery, gorgeous lakes, historic small towns, ski resorts, state parks, water parks, and more.
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 Pocono Mountains is $139. 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 Pocono Mountains in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Pocono Mountains? 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 Pocono Mountains 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 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:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and Pocono Mountains, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Pocono Mountains much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pocono Mountains would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pocono Mountains 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 Pocono Mountains.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Pocono Mountains. Many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Chicago is generally around the same temperature as Pocono Mountains. Temperatures in Chicago average around 77°F (25°C), and Pocono Mountains stays around 75°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pocono Mountains this time of the year. In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chicago usually receives more sunshine than Pocono Mountains during summer. Chicago gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.
Pocono Mountains receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chicago usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Pocono Mountains. 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.
Chicago is around the same temperature as Pocono Mountains in the autumn. The temperature in Chicago is usually 56°F (14°C) in October, and Pocono Mountains stays around 55°F (13°C).
In the autumn, Chicago often gets more sunshine than Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 168 hours of full sun.
Chicago usually gets less rain in October than Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Pocono Mountains and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Pocono Mountains can be very cold. Chicago can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Chicago is much colder than Pocono Mountains. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chicago in January are around 25°F (-4°C), and Pocono Mountains is about 28°F (-2°C).
Chicago usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pocono Mountains during winter. Chicago gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Pocono Mountains receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Chicago usually receives less rain than Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Pocono Mountains and Chicago during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Chicago is generally around the same temperature as Pocono Mountains. Temperatures in Chicago average around 52°F (11°C), and Pocono Mountains stays around 51°F (11°C).
In Pocono Mountains, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chicago. In the spring, Chicago often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 218 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pocono Mountains receives 213 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually gets more rain in April than Pocono Mountains. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Pocono Mountains receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Chicago | Pocono Mountains | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) | 28°F (-2°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
Feb | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Mar | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Apr | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 51°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
May | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Oct | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
Dec | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
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