A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chicago vs. Toronto for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Chicago or Toronto?

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

Chicago

Chicago is a multicultural, edgey, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Chicago is a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and theater. See Chicago travel costs.

Toronto

Toronto is a vibrant, cultural, and diverse city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toronto travel costs.

Chicago and Toronto: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chicago or Toronto?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Chicago than Toronto. While Toronto is larger than Chicago, Chicago has more sights and attractions for tourists. Chicago is well known for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. Also, Chicago is famous for The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower). Toronto is well known for its art and culture, diverse cuisine, and multi-cultural population.

How is Chicago different from Toronto?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toronto and Chicago. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chicago or Toronto?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chicago or Toronto.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Chicago on the map. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).

Travelers visit Toronto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Theater?

Chicago is terrific for theatre. However, Toronto is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in Chicago that are not to be missed. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.

Toronto is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Chicago or Toronto? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chicago is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Chicago have been singled out for their culinary prowess. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Toronto. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Chicago or Toronto has a better nightlife scene.

Chicago is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.

Toronto has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Music?

Chicago is terrific for live music. However, Toronto is not a live music destination.

Chicago is known as a music capital around the world. The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.

Toronto is not a live music destination.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Beaches?

Chicago is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Toronto is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Chicago. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.

Toronto is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chicago or Toronto?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Toronto and Chicago.

Chicago is a world class destination for shoppers. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Toronto. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.

Is Chicago or Toronto More Beautiful?

Chicago is a city with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Chicago is a gorgeous place to visit. The water makes this city a truly unique place to explore, and the world class architecture is not to be missed.

Toronto is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Families?

Chicago is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Toronto is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Chicago is an extremely popular city to visit for families. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.

Toronto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy the city's many family-friendly museums like the Royal Ontario Museum or the Ontario Science Center. Younger kids will have fun playing at the Centreville Theme Park while all ages will love a day at Canada's Wonderland. Black Creek Pioneer Village is a highlight for many families as well.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Couples?

Toronto is a great destination for couples. Also, Chicago is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Toronto frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. This city is full of energy, and couples can enjoy amazing meals, impressive shows, and romantic outings. You can picnic at a park or check out the view from CN Tower. There are also dinner cruises and live theater.

Chicago is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toronto is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Chicago is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Toronto is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of hostels around town and there's often a good crowd of backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Chicago. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Students?

Chicago and Toronto are amazing places to visit for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Chicago. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.

Toronto is a great destination for students. The city has a good number of universities that attract students from around the globe. This is a very livable city with a lot of diversity and plenty of entertainment options.

Is Chicago or Toronto Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chicago and Toronto.

Chicago has a great public transit system. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.

Public transit in Toronto is top-notch. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.

Is Chicago or Toronto a more walkable city?

Chicago and Toronto both are superb when exploring on foot.

Chicago is a very walkable destination. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.

Toronto is very walkable. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.

For even more information, also check out Is Chicago Worth Visiting? and Is Toronto Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toronto or Chicago?

How long in Chicago or Toronto?

Both Chicago and Toronto have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Toronto than in Chicago. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Chicago, and 3-7 days is enough time in Toronto.

Families should spend more time in Chicago than Toronto. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chicago, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chicago than Toronto. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chicago that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toronto than Chicago if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Toronto.

One day in Chicago or Toronto?

Because Chicago is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Toronto, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Chicago or Toronto?

Because Chicago is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

In Toronto, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Chicago or Toronto?

Chicago is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chicago has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Toronto is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toronto has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Chicago or Toronto?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chicago. Many people enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting Chicago. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toronto. In Toronto, you'll find museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Chicago or Toronto?

Toronto has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Chicago and Toronto, 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 Toronto?

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 Toronto in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chicago as well as Toronto. Many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Toronto in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Chicago is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chicago in July average around 77°F (25°C), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In the summer, Chicago often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Chicago gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.

Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. Chicago usually gets more rain in July than Toronto. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chicago or Toronto in the Autumn?

Both Toronto and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, most visitors come to Toronto for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Chicago is generally a little warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Chicago average around 56°F (14°C), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Chicago usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Chicago gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chicago usually receives less rain than Toronto. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chicago or Toronto in the Winter?

Both Toronto and Chicago during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Toronto because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Toronto can be very cold. Chicago can be very cold during winter. Chicago is around the same temperature as Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Chicago averages around 25°F (-4°C) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Chicago often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Chicago gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.

Chicago usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chicago or Toronto in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and Toronto. The spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Toronto this time of year.

In the spring, Chicago is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chicago in April average around 52°F (11°C), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chicago usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Chicago gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Chicago usually receives more rain than Toronto. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toronto and Chicago