Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kingston or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston 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: Kingston or Chicago?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, 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 Kingston and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Chicago $198
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Kingston 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Chicago $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
-
Parking$19
-
Taxi Ride$10
-
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: $202
- Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Business Car: $152
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $105
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $127
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Round-Trip Transfer: $114
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Kingston 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
-
Food Meals for one dayKingston $27Chicago $49
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
-
Dinner for 1$24
-
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
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- 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 West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
- Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
- Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
- Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
-
Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
-
Aquarium for 4$118
-
Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
-
IMAX Movie for Two$35
-
Shakespeare Play (2)$116
-
Art Institute (2)$36
-
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
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.63
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $12
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
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 Kingston and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands 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 Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston 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 Kingston or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston 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.
Kingston is a little warmer than Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Kingston gets 254 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. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Chicago. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston 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 the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Kingston gets 229 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 Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston 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. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Chicago. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Chicago. Kingston 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.
Kingston is much warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates 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 Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Kingston
| Kingston | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.