Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Cincinnati?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Cincinnati or Chicago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Located on the north banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati is the third largest city in Ohio having grown from its industrial heritage. It is situated in the southwest part of the state, separated from the Kentucky border by the river. The city is best known for its striking skyline and unique chili.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cincinnati is $146, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $221. 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 Cincinnati and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Cincinnati or Chicago? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cincinnati:
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 Chicago and Cincinnati 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cincinnati.
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 actual costs in Cincinnati for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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.
Also in Cincinnati, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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 Cincinnati and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Cincinnati much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cincinnati would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.
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.
Both Chicago and Cincinnati are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Cincinnati is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cincinnati in July are around 79°F (26°C), and Chicago is about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cincinnati. Cincinnati usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Cincinnati gets 298 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In July, Cincinnati usually receives less rain than Chicago. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Chicago and Cincinnati during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, 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.
In October, Cincinnati is generally around the same temperature as Chicago. Temperatures in Cincinnati average around 58°F (15°C), and Chicago stays around 56°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Cincinnati gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Cincinnati usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Chicago. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cincinnati and Chicago. Furthermore, most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can be very cold during winter. Cincinnati can get quite cold in the winter. Cincinnati is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The temperature in Cincinnati is usually 31°F (-0°C) in January, and Chicago stays around 25°F (-4°C).
Cincinnati usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during winter. Cincinnati gets 129 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cincinnati usually receives more rain than Chicago. Cincinnati gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Cincinnati as well as Chicago. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Cincinnati is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cincinnati in April are around 56°F (14°C), and Chicago is about 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cincinnati this time of the year. In the spring, Cincinnati often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Cincinnati gets 215 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Cincinnati usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Cincinnati gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Cincinnati | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 48°F (9°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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