Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Greensboro?
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 Greensboro 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.
Greensboro is a welcoming, under-rated, and friendly city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and shopping.
Chicago is a edgey, cosmopolitan, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and museums.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Chicago than Greensboro, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Chicago is more touristy than Greensboro and is known for its thriving sports scene, its iconic local cuisine, and its world class shopping at the Magnificent Mile. It is also home to The Willis Tower (previously the Sears Tower). Greensboro is popular for its interesting museums and diverse restaurants.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chicago and Greensboro. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.
The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chicago are among the most recognizable in the world. There are countless landmarks, museums, and iconic sights in the area. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Greensboro. The Greensboro Science Center is a highlight for families. Other interesting museums around town include the Elsewhere Modern Art Museum, the Greensboro History Museum, the International Civil Rights Center, and the Weatherspoon Art Museum.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its theatre productions. However, Greensboro is not a theatre destination.
Chicago is considered to be a world-class theater destination. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.
Greensboro is not a theatre destination.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.
Eat your way through Chicago, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. With everything from award-winning luxury restaurants to local dives, this city has something for everyone. It also has very distinct local flavors and dishes that create an identity and bring great pride to the locals. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.
Greensboro may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. You'll find a good selection of restaurants around town with Mexican, southern, Italian, and Chinese all being popular options.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.
Chicago is a world class party destination. It has a wide range of activities at night, with everything from theater and comedy clubs to dance venues, sporting events, and local bars. It's easy to fill many evenings with whatever activity appeals to you. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.
If you're looking for night time activities Greensboro has a few options to choose from. Head downtown for the most trendy bars, breweries, and nightclubs.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Greensboro is not a live music destination.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Chicago The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.
Greensboro is not a live music destination.
Chicago is a good destination for the beache. However, Greensboro is not a beach destination.
Chicago offers a nice beach destination. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake. If the weather is nice, it's a great area to spend some time.
Greensboro is not a beach destination.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Chicago make it a world-class shopping destination. There are countless neighborhoods that are filled with boutiques, local vendors, and art galleries. The city has some of the country's best shopping opportunities, and the most notable area is the famous Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile.
Greensboro has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are shopping centers and shopping malls around town as well as some interesting local boutiques.
Chicago is well known for its Christmas activities. However, Greensboro does not offer Christmas activities.
Visitors come from all around to experience the Christmas activities in Chicago. There's a number of seasonal celebrations, ice skating, and excellent shopping.
Greensboro does not offer Christmas activities.
Chicago is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Greensboro does not offer Christmas markets.
Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Chicago. Shopping is a highlight of a trip to the city, and the Christkindlmarkt is not to be missed.
Greensboro does not offer Christmas markets.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
With a huge array of activities for kids, 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. It's easy to keep kids entertained in this very kid-focused city.
Greensboro offers lots of family activities. Kids will love visiting the Greensboro Science Center, which has hands-on science exhibits and a small zoo. Younger kids will also enjoy a visit to the Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum. During the summer months the Wet 'n Wild Emerald Pointe Water Park is a great way to spend a day. Other times of the year, there are indoor play spaces and movie theaters around town.
Chicago is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for couples.
Chicago makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods. There are many varied restaurants and entertainment options that make for a great date night. There are also sporting events, parks, and gardens where couples can explore.
Greensboro is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The Carolina Theater makes a great date night activity. There is also a diverse selection of restaurants around town and a few parks for a daytime outing.
Chicago is a good destination for backpackers. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.
Plenty of backpackers visit Chicago. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.
Greensboro is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a number of budget hotels nearby but no real hostels.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Greensboro is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Chicago is a very popular place to visit for students. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe. It's a huge international city with economic ties and many opportunities connected to the universities.
It's common for students to visit Greensboro. University of North Carolina at Greensboro attracts students to the city. There are also several smaller colleges in the area.
Chicago is a must-visit destination for its public transit. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.
Chicago has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.
Public transit is mostly limited in Greensboro. There are several bus routes around town, but you really can depend on them to get where you're going. A car is important for making the most of your trip.
Chicago is well known for its high level of walkability. However, Greensboro is not particularly known for its ease of walking around.
Chicago is a very walkable city. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.
Greensboro is generally not a very walkable city. Most areas aren't walkable, but for the most pedestrian-friendly sections head to College Hill, downtown, or Brice Street.
For even more information, also check out Is Greensboro Worth Visiting? and Is Chicago Worth Visiting?.
In either Greensboro or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chicago than Greensboro because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Greensboro, and 3-5 days is enough time in Chicago.
Families should spend more time in Chicago than Greensboro. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chicago, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Chicago than Greensboro. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chicago that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chicago than Greensboro if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chicago.
In Greensboro, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.
When visiting Chicago, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Greensboro, you'll find nightlife and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Greensboro has to offer.
When visiting Chicago, people usually allow for lots of time. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.
Greensboro is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Chicago, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Greensboro. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Greensboro. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
Chicago is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Greensboro is $162, 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 Greensboro and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Greensboro 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 Greensboro 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.
Here are a few actual costs in Greensboro 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.
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 Greensboro and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Greensboro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Greensboro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Greensboro 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 Greensboro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Greensboro Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Greensboro. When comparing the sizes of Greensboro 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.
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 Greensboro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Greensboro for 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 the summer, Greensboro is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Greensboro in July average around 81°F (27°C), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Greensboro. Greensboro usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Greensboro gets 273 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 Greensboro. In July, Greensboro usually receives more rain than Chicago. Greensboro gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Chicago and Greensboro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Greensboro in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, 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.
In October, Greensboro is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Greensboro average around 62°F (17°C), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Greensboro. In the autumn, Greensboro often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Greensboro gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Greensboro usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Greensboro gets 3 inches (75 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 Greensboro and Chicago. Most visitors come to Greensboro for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, 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. Greensboro can be very cold during winter. Greensboro is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Greensboro averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
Greensboro usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Greensboro gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Greensboro usually receives more rain than Chicago. Greensboro gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Greensboro as well as Chicago. Additionally, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In the spring, Greensboro is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Greensboro in April average around 61°F (16°C), 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 Greensboro this time of the year. In the spring, Greensboro often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Greensboro gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Greensboro usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Greensboro gets 3.1 inches (80 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Greensboro | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 81°F (27°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 80°F (26°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |