Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Columbia?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Columbia 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.
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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 Columbia is $0.00, 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 Columbia and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Columbia 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.
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 Columbia 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.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
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 Columbia, 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 Columbia and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
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 Columbia and Chicago. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Columbia is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Columbia in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Chicago is about 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbia usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Columbia gets 293 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. Columbia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbia usually receives more rain than Chicago. Columbia gets 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Columbia as well as Chicago. Additionally, 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, Columbia is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Columbia average around 64°F (18°C), and Chicago stays around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia this time of the year. In the autumn, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Columbia gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Columbia usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Columbia gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Chicago and Columbia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, 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. Columbia is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The temperature in Columbia is usually 45°F (7°C) in January, and Chicago stays around 25°F (-4°C).
Columbia usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Columbia gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Columbia usually receives more rain than Chicago. Columbia gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Chicago and Columbia during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Columbia is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Columbia in April are around 64°F (18°C), and Chicago is about 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Columbia. In the spring, Columbia often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Columbia gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Columbia usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Columbia gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Columbia | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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