Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Lima?
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 Lima or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lima 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.
Where Should I go: Lima or Chicago?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Lima Prices
Peru PricesChicago Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $96Chicago $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $96, 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 Lima and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $52Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $104Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Lima and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $6.11Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Taxi Ride$5.78
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Short Taxi Ride$4.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- From Lima Private transfer to Paracas: $290
- Lima Airport Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer: $23
- Lima Airport Transfer to Hotel Deluxe Car English Driver: $50
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $56
- Lima Hotels to Lima Airport (LIM)- Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Lima airport transfers: $27
- Lima to Huacachina Private Transfer with 2 Stops: $252
- LIM Airport Private Transfer to/from Lima Center/Barranco: $13
- Palomino Islands Excursion & Swimming with Sea Lions with Hotel Transfers: $125
- Premium Peruvian Horse Show with Lunch & Transfers: $159
- Private Airport Transfer Service – Arrival or Departure: $28
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:
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- ORD Airport Private Transfer to/from City Center: $40
- Private Airport Transfer to/from ORD Airport: $43
- Private Transfer ORD Airport to Chicago / Milwaukee / Oak Brook: $46
- Private Transfer Chicago Airport MDW to Chicago Downtown: $50
- Midway Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $55
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Chicago City to Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Ohare Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $75
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport private transfer, pick up: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Lima 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 dayLima $32Chicago $85
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.63
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Ice cream$3.76
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Coffee$3.18
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Donut$1.01
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Andean Breads Cooking Class in Lima: $44
- Lima Street Food Tour: Taste Authentic Peruvian Delights: $45
- Dinner with Folkloric Show at Casa Tambo Restaurant: $46
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $55
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $55
- #1 Rated Lima Cooking Class: Make Ceviche, Causa & Pisco Sours!: $59
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $67
- Peruvian Food Tour Through Local Markets: $69
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $72
- Authentic 4-dish Peruvian Food Cooking Class in Lima + Pisco Sour: $75
- Peru Culinary Identity: 10+ Tastes with Sherpa Food Tours: $79
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.
- PRIVATE Online Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Class with Nancy: $59
- Tamales and Tacos with Margarita Cooking Class at Su Casa: $59
- Pizza Walking or Bus Tour: $59
- Deep Dish Cooking Class at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago: $59
- City Cruises Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $63
- Chicago West Loop Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Cookies, & More: $70
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- City Cruises Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise: $74
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- 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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $9.23Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.46
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Barranco Walking Tour with Sunset Option: $5.00
- Lima Cathedral Museum Entrance Ticket: $10
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Miraflores Guided Walking Tour and Surquillo Market Experience: $15
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- A Journey Through Time: Lima's Historic Center & Catacombs Tour: $20
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $25
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $29
- Lima Bike Tour Miraflores Pyramid & Bohemian Barranco: $34
- Lima City Tour with Catacombs and Pickup: $35
- Barranco Bike Tour: From Pyramids to Bohemian Streets: $35
- City Tour Panoramic Bus Departure From Larcomar: $35
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:
- Discover A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $1.12
- Bucktown and Wicker Park’s 606 Trail: A Walking Tour: $5.00
- Chicago Downtown Sports History Adventure: $5.00
- Hyde Park Walking Tour History Race and Urban Change: $5.00
- Podcast Tour Engineering Skyward Chicagos Vertical Pioneers: $5.48
- Chicago 80's Movie Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $6.00
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour The Loops Monumental Canvas: $6.85
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chicago Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 25 Audio Commentaries: $7.00
- Chicago Art Heist: Millennium Park Puzzle Adventure: $7.20
- Chicago Chocolate Tour: $8.00
- Chicago’s Millennium Park Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
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 dayLima $6.00Chicago $25
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.78
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Beer$4.34
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Cocktail$3.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Free Pub Crawl: $5.00
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $22
- Barranco Bohemian Bar Crawl: 4 Bars & Live Music: $24
- Lima Anti Pub Crawl: $60
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Astounding Chicago Bar Crawl: Chi-Town Showdown: $15
- Burning Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago to Milwaukee Day Trip with Brewery Tour & City Highlights: $125
- Chicago to Milwaukee: 1-Day City Highlights w/Miller Brewery: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima is in South America 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lima or Chicago?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Lima 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 Lima or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Lima experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Lima or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Lima is generally cooler than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 18°C (64°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun in the summer.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Lima usually receives less rain than Chicago. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 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 JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Lima or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lima as well as Chicago. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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.
Lima is a little warmer than Chicago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In the autumn, Lima often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Lima usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 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 OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Lima or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. 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, Lima is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lima in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Chicago averages at about 25°F (-4°C).
Lima usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Chicago. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 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 JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Lima or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Lima during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In April, Lima is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 22°C (72°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lima usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 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 AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Lima
| Lima | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.