Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Eureka Springs?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Eureka Springs or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Eureka Springs 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: Eureka Springs or Chicago?
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a resort town in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. It offers a variety of dining and shopping such as local crafts and art galleries. Nearby is Beaver Lake. Most of the town is a Victorian village, it has a European look and feel with Victorian cottages and homes spilling over steep winding streets.
The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because most of the town contains old history buildings which were constructed as a result of the town's unique history. The town was founded and grew very quickly. On July 4, 1879, the town was founded, and by the end of that year reached a population of 10,000. The reason for the town's growth was the area's numerous cold water springs which at the time were thought to have medicinal healing properties. However, this claim was fairly short lived, and when the tourism boom busted, the new town full of Victorian homes was left in the Ozark wilderness without an economy. Then, few new buildings were built. Hundreds of Victorian homes have remained and been preserved ranging from tiny cottages to huge mansions. In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
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 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Eureka Springs Prices
USA PricesChicago Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEureka Springs $155Chicago $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Eureka Springs is $155, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $323. 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 Eureka Springs and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEureka Springs $100Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEureka Springs $200Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Eureka Springs and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Eureka Springs 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: Eureka Springs Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Eureka Springs $47Chicago $37
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:
- Group Van Transfers from Chicago O'Hare and Midway Airports: $300
- Meet and Greet Private SUV Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $300
- Meet and Greet Private SUV Transfer from MDW to Downtown Chicago: $300
- Departure Private Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury Car: $257
- Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $255
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
- Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $240
- Curbside SUV Transfer from O'Hare/Midway to Downtown Chicago: $240
- Curbside SUV Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $240
- SUV transfer from downtown Chicago to O'hare Midway Airport: $240
- Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from MDW to Downtown Chicago: $240
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to Midway airport: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Eureka Springs or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Eureka Springs 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 dayEureka Springs $32Chicago $85
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 : $59
- City Cruises Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $67
- Pizza Walking or Bus Tour: $69
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Chicago Food Tour & Solve a Murder: Interactive True Crime Tour: $82
- Taste of Chicago's Chinatown Food Tours: $85
- Vito's Vault Chicago finest dinner theatre speakeasy: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Eureka Springs -Chicago $47
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:
- Field Museum of Natural History Early Access Ticket : $73
- 2 Hour Chicago Landmarks & Lakefront E-Bike Tour: $69
- 2 Hour Chicago Pier Fireworks & Evening Segway Tour: $78
- 2 Hour Private Chicago Soul House Tour: $65
- 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront & Museum Campus Segway Tour: $67
- 3 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops: $135
- 360 Chicago Observation Deck Sip and View Ticket: $44
- 90 minute Chicago's Chinatown History and Culture Tour: $30
- African American Heritage Tour of Chicago : $125
- Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $52
- American Writers Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Architectural and Historical Private Tour in Downtown Chicago: $199
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 dayEureka Springs -Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Chicago Bar Crawl: Chi-Town Showdown: $15
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago:Milwaukee City Highlights Day Trip with Brewery Tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Eureka Springs and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Eureka Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Eureka Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Eureka Springs 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 Eureka Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Eureka Springs Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Eureka Springs or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 1220 times larger than the population of Eureka Springs. When comparing the sizes of Eureka Springs 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.
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.