Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Delhi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Delhi or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Delhi or Chicago, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Delhi or Chicago?
Delhi
Delhi is the largest city in northern India and is officially the country's capital. The city has a population of 11 million with the metropolitan population reaching over 16 million. The city is similar in landscape to the rest of its surrounding area. It is very flat with the river Yamuna flowing on the eastern side of the city. The Aravalii Hills are in the western portion of the city. The city's history dates back to the 6th century BC and it has served as a capital for various kingdoms and empires.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to India, The Best Budget Tours to India, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDelhi $45Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Delhi is $45, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Delhi and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDelhi $23Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDelhi $46Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Delhi and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Delhi 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Delhi Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Delhi $5.29Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Delhi:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$0.12
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Taxi to Airport$1.92
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Subway$0.38
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Uber Cab$0.96
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Delhi Metro Smart Card$1.80
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Auto-rickshaw$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Delhi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Delhi:
- Entrance Ticket to Historical Monuments of Delhi with Private Transfer: $74
- 3-Day City Tour of Old and New Delhi with Airport Transfers: $180
- 3-Days Delhi and Varanasi Tour by Express Train.Includes,Hotel Transfers.: $275
- Aerial yoga class with private transfers: $31
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Haridwar: $35
- Affordable transfer from Delhi to Rishikesh: $35
- Akshardham Exhibition, Light and Water Show with Transfers: $99
- Akshardham Temple Exhibition, light and Water show With Transfers: $79
- Akshardham Temple Tour with hotel transfers : $54
- Arrival Transfer from Airport to Hotel in Delhi: $33
- Arrival and Departure transfer to Airport in Delhi : $80
- Authentic Same Day Agra Tour with Private Transfer and licensed Tour Guide: $117
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Delhi or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Delhi 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
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Food Meals for one dayDelhi $12Chicago $49
Typical Food Prices in Delhi
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Delhi:
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McDonalds$3.51
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Delhi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Delhi.
- Appetizing virtual cooking class from Delhi: $20
- Old Delhi Food Tour with local, A must for Indian culinary lover!: $21
- Lunch or dinner with local family: $21
- Food Tour Old Delhi: $31
- Old Delhi Heritage Sightseeing | Walking Tour | Street Food Tour: $34
- Old Delhi Food Tour: A Night Time Feast: $36
- Veg and Non veg : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $43
- Old Delhi Street Food Tour: $44
- Transit Tour-Guided Best Old Delhi's Attractions & Food Tour: $45
- Vegetarian : Private Cooking Class in Delhi: $46
- Culinary Delights Of Delhi Half Day Food Tour: $48
- Delhi Kabul Cooking Class: $50
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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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 Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- 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
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Delhi $13Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Delhi
Here are a few typical costs in Delhi for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Red Fort$10
Tours and Activities in Delhi
Here are a few actual costs in Delhi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Same Day Agra Tour by Gatiman Express Train With Multiple Options: $2.79
- From Taj Mahal & Agra Fort Tour by Car - All Inclusive: $3.75
- Private Guided Tour to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with All inclusive: $3.75
- Taj Mahal & Agra Private Day Tour from Delhi with 5* Lunch: $4.00
- Skip-The-Line Sunrise Taj Mahal Private Tour with Multi-Options: $4.25
- Private Full-Day Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Tour from New Delhi: $4.30
- Driving tours through beautiful India: $4.59
- Private Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Car: $4.70
- Private Same Day Skip The Line Taj Mahal Tour From Delhi: $4.92
- Delhi Best of Monuments Half Day Tour: $5.00
- Private Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour from Delhi By Car: $5.00
- Private Day Tour of Taj Mahal by India's Fastest Train or Car - All Inclusive: $5.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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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:
- Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $9.25
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket at Guaranteed Rate Field: $9.32
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDelhi $8.69Chicago $25
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 Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Delhi and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Delhi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Delhi is in Asia and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Delhi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Delhi 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 Delhi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Delhi Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Delhi or Chicago?
Delhi has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Delhi and Chicago, 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 Delhi or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Delhi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Delhi or Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Delhi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Delhi throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
The heat can be very extreme in Delhi. In the summer, Delhi is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Delhi in July average around 31°C (88°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. Delhi usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Delhi gets 166 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. It's quite rainy in Delhi. In July, Delhi usually receives more rain than Chicago. Delhi gets 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDelhi 31°C (88°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Delhi or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Delhi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Delhi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In October, Delhi is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Delhi average around 26°C (79°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Delhi. In the autumn, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Delhi gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Delhi usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Delhi gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDelhi 26°C (79°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Delhi or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Delhi and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Delhi year-round. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Chicago. Delhi is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Delhi averages around 15°C (59°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In Delhi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Delhi usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Delhi gets 215 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Delhi usually receives less rain than Chicago. Delhi gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDelhi 15°C (59°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Delhi or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Delhi as well as Chicago. Delhi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Delhi is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Delhi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Chicago averages at 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 Delhi this time of the year. In the spring, Delhi often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Delhi gets 261 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Delhi usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Delhi gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDelhi 29°C (84°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Delhi
| Delhi | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 15°C (59°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 22°C (72°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 33°C (91°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 34°C (93°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 31°C (88°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 30°C (86°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 30°C (86°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.