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

Should you visit Chicago or Reno?

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

Where Should I go: Chicago or Reno?

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.

Reno

In the northwest area of Nevada, Reno sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. After Las Vegas, it's the second most popular tourist destination in the state of Nevada. You'll find some nice resorts, elaborate casinos, nice restaurants and unique opportunities for entertainment throughout the city.

The city, referred to as "The Biggest Little City in the World", has a population of about 235,000. It's part of the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area, which has a population of about 440,000.

Reno is located in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The city has a steppe climate with light to moderate snowfall in the winter months. Precipitation is most common during the winter and spring, but the city averages about 300 days of sunshine a year. Average temperatures are 35 degrees Fahrenheit in December and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in July.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Reno or Chicago?

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 Reno is $144. 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 Reno in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chicago $198
    Reno $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chicago $396
    Reno $110
Compare Hotels in Chicago and Reno

Looking for a hotel in Chicago or Reno? 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 Reno


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 Reno Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chicago $37
    Reno $23
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:

  • Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago City - Chicago Airport (ORD): $138
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago Airport (ORD) -Chicago City: $138
  • RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to Chicago Airport (ORD)- Chicago City: $276
  • Private one-way airport transfer O'Hare Airport to/from Chicago : $87
  • Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago (MDW) Airport: $146
  • Private Transfer Chicago Airport to Chicago by Luxury Car or SUV: $115
  • Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $220
  • Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to Midway airport: $220
  • Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
  • Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to Midway airport: $240
  • Private Round trip Transfer - Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): $189
  • Private Departure Transfer to Chicago Airports (ORD)(MDW): $90

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Reno

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


  • Car Wash
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reno

Also for Reno, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Heavenly Mountain - Arrival Transfer: $110
  • Reno Tahoe Airport (RNO) to Mammoth Mountain: Arrival Transfer: $187
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Heavenly Mountain - Round-Trip Transfer: $220
  • Reno Tahoe Airport to Northstar/Squaw Valley - Arrival Transfer: $165
  • Reno to Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) - Departure Private Transfer: $67
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Private Arrival Transfer : $67
  • Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO) to Reno – Round-Trip Private Transfer: $134

Is it cheaper to fly into Chicago or Reno?

Prices for flights to both Reno 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 $49
    Reno $54
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 : $40
  • Downtown Chicago Walking Pizza Tour: $55
  • Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
  • Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $55
  • Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Fulton Market Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
  • Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $69
  • Friday Pizza Walk of Downtown Chicago: $69
  • 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

Typical Food Prices in Reno

For Reno, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dennys for Breakfast
    $22
  • Sushi DInner (for 2)
    $40
  • In-n-Out Burger (for 3)
    $19

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chicago $47
    Reno $88
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:

  • 2 Hour Pier Fireworks and Evening Segway Tour in Chicago: $78
  • 2-Hour Chicago Wine and Cheese Cruise : $65
  • 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago: $65
  • 360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket: $44
  • A Storied Neighborhood: A Self-Guided Audio Tour with Bill Ayers: $5.40
  • Adults Party Art Experience: $66
  • Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $79
  • App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.77
  • Architectural and Historical Private Tour in Downtown Chicago: $199
  • Art Institute of Chicago Skip-the-Line Guided Museum Tour : $126
  • Art of a City, Downtown Chicago - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $292
  • Best of Chicago Small-Group Tour with Skydeck and River Cruise: $254

Tours and Activities in Reno

For Reno, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • From Reno Arch to Truckee River: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Reno by Operation City Quest: $10
  • Reno Scavenger Hunt: Reno Adventure: $12
  • Lake Tahoe Audio Driving Tour: $14
  • Lake Tahoe: Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $14
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Carson City, NV: $15
  • Zero Latency Extreme Virtual Reality Experience Ticket: $25
  • Gangs and Gamblers Haunted Walking Tour: $26
  • Reno Ghosts Tour: $30
  • Carson City Puzzling Adventure: $35

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 $25
    Reno $13

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 Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $54
  • Chicago Walking Brewery Tour in Malt Row: $75
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
  • Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100

Sample the Local Flavors in Reno

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

  • 1 Hour Distillery Tour and Tasting Flight: $25


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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chicago Expensive? and Is Reno Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chicago or Reno?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Reno. When comparing the sizes of Chicago and Reno, 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.