Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Fort Lauderdale?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Fort Lauderdale and Chicago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Fort Lauderdale is a bustling, spirited, and luxury coastal city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife.
Chicago is a edgey, cosmopolitan, and diverse city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chicago and Fort Lauderdale. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Chicago has a longer list of notable local restaurants than Fort Lauderdale.
Eat your way through Chicago, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.
Fort Lauderdale has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Seafood is the obvious option with popular dishes being fish tacos, sea bass, and scallop risotto.
It's hard to distinguish whether Fort Lauderdale or Chicago has a better nightlife scene.
The people in Fort Lauderdale know how to have a good time. Most people head to the beach, Las Olas Blvd, River Front and The New Hard Rock Seminole Hotel Complex for the best bars and clubs.
Chicago is a must-see party destination. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.
Fort Lauderdale provides a better beach experience than Chicago.
Fort Lauderdale offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches, a fun boardwalk, and impressive views, the beaches here are among the best in the area.
Chicago is a good option for a beach vacation. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake.
Chicago is generally considered to be a more popular shopping destination.
Chicago is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The most famous shopping area is Michigan Avenue and the famous Magnificent Mile.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Fort Lauderdale. For interesting local boutiques head to Las Olas Boulevard and for name brand stores you'll want to visit Sawgrass Mills Mall.
Both Fort Lauderdale and Chicago are family-friendly destinations.
Fort Lauderdale is a very family-friendly place to visit. With seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a number of kid-oriented activities the kids will be entertained. Fun activities include Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Butterfly World, and Funderdome.
Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Chicago is very family-friendly. 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.
Fort Lauderdale offers a wider variety of romantic activities for couples than Chicago.
Fort Lauderdale is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Fine dining, beautiful beaches, and great shopping make for a great romantic getaway. Couples and honeymooners love relaxing at the beaches in Fort Lauderdale.
Chicago makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods.
Fort Lauderdale and Chicago both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Fort Lauderdale is very walkable. It is one of the most walkable Florida communities with a boardwalk and several pedestrian areas that are fun to wander around.
Chicago is a very walkable coastal city. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.
In either Fort Lauderdale or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Fort Lauderdale than Chicago because of the overall number of sights and activities.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Fort Lauderdale is 3-7 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Chicago is 3-5 days.
In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Chicago is a big city with plenty to do. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Chicago is a big city with plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Fort Lauderdale is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Chicago is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fort Lauderdale. In Fort Lauderdale, you'll find shopping and nightlife. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Chicago. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale:
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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale 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.
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Fort Lauderdale are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort Lauderdale:
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 Fort Lauderdale and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Fort Lauderdale much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Fort Lauderdale would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
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 Fort Lauderdale are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fort Lauderdale for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Fort Lauderdale is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 83°F (28°C), and Chicago stays around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during summer. Fort Lauderdale gets 316 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 Fort Lauderdale. In July, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Chicago and Fort Lauderdale during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Fort Lauderdale in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Chicago in the autumn. The temperature in Fort Lauderdale is usually 78°F (26°C) in October, and Chicago stays around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Fort Lauderdale. In the autumn, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 5.6 inches (143 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 Fort Lauderdale and Chicago. Most visitors come to Fort Lauderdale for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Chicago because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Chicago can be very cold. In the winter, Fort Lauderdale is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Fort Lauderdale in January are around 67°F (20°C), and Chicago is about 25°F (-4°C).
In Fort Lauderdale, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fort Lauderdale usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Fort Lauderdale gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Fort Lauderdale usually receives more rain than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Fort Lauderdale as well as Chicago. The spring months attract visitors to Fort Lauderdale because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In April, Fort Lauderdale is generally much warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Fort Lauderdale average around 75°F (24°C), and Chicago stays around 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 Fort Lauderdale this time of the year. In the spring, Fort Lauderdale often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Fort Lauderdale usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Fort Lauderdale gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Fort Lauderdale | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 67°F (20°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 68°F (20°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (162 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 9.4 inches (238 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 83°F (28°C) | 7.5 inches (191 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 7.6 inches (194 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 inches (143 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 69°F (21°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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