Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Chicago can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Montego Bay or Chicago?
Montego Bay
As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.
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 San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesChicago Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $257Chicago $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $257, 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 Montego Bay and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Chicago $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to RIU PALACE AQUARELLE: $50
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $110
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
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
- Ohare Airport Private Hotel Transfer up to 5 passengers: $75
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $75
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) - Departure Private Car Transfer: $75
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport private transfer, pick up: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $141Chicago $85
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
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
- 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
- Downtown Chicago Walking Pizza Tour: $69
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- City Cruises Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise: $74
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Immersive Potsticker Cooking Class in Chicago: $75
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.66
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
- Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
- Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Bamboo Rafting & Jamaican Village Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
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: $3.55
- Hyde Park Walking Tour History Race and Urban Change: $5.00
- Bucktown and Wicker Park’s 606 Trail: A Walking Tour: $5.00
- Chicago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- 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: $7.47
- Lincoln Park Zoo Adventure: $8.00
- Chicago Chinatown: Dragon Kings Puzzle Adventure: $8.30
- Chicago’s Millennium Park Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Chicago Haunted Ghost Tour GPS Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Bizarre Wicker Park: Medicine and Mobsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
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 dayMontego Bay $13Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay
Also in Montego Bay, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
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
- Rising Stars Burlesque Revue Tickets in Chicago: $30
- Burlesque Peep Show Ticket in Chicago: $32
- Burning Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago to Milwaukee: 1-Day City Highlights w/Miller Brewery: $125
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay 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 Montego Bay or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 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, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Chicago. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 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 JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Chicago. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chicago because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 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 OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
It's quite cold in Chicago in the winter. Montego Bay is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Chicago. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 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 JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Montego Bay during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Chicago averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago. Montego Bay gets 225 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. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 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 AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.