Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow 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 Moscow 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: Moscow or Chicago?
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoscow $63Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, 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 Moscow and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $40Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $80Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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: Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.18Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from 8 ILIR to Palembang Airport (PLM): $93
- Private Transfer from Balai Batu Sadara to Padang Airport (PDG): $168
- Private Transfer from Batusangkar to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Cinta Raja to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Delima to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Harjosari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Kampung Baru to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Kedungsari to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Labuh Baru Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Meranti Pandak to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $44
- Private Transfer from Nagari Sikucur to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Nagari Sungai Asam to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
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:
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Chicago APT-HTL (ORD) , (MDW): $128
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Chicago APT-HTL (ORD) , (MDW): $126
- Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago City - Chicago Airport (ORD): $138
- Transfer in private vehicle from Chicago Airport (ORD) -Chicago City: $138
- RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to Chicago Airport (ORD)- Chicago City: $276
- Private one-way airport transfer O'Hare Airport to/from Chicago : $86
- Private Transfer: Midway Airport MDW to Chicago by Luxury SUV: $163
- Private Transfer from Chicago City to Chicago (MDW) Airport: $144
- Private Transfer from Chicago (MDW) Airport to Chicago City: $144
- Private Transfer Chicago to Chicago Airport by Luxury Car or SUV: $87
- Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $220
- Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Moscow 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 dayMoscow $14Chicago $49
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$6.00
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.27
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Breakfast for 2$11
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 : $40
- 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 Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$13
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
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:
- Chicagoland Sightseeing in Style Luxury Private Sedan: $190
- Field Museum of Natural History Early Access Ticket : $73
- Windy City Ghosts: Hauntings of Chicago Walking Tour: $28
- 2 Hour Pier Fireworks and Evening Segway Tour in Chicago: $78
- 2-Hour Chicago Fireworks Segway Tour: $80
- 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour: $72
- 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago: $65
- 2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago: $78
- 3 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops: $135
- Adults Party Art Experience: $66
- Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $79
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
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 dayMoscow $7.94Chicago $25
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 Moscow and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moscow is in Europe 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 Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Chicago?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Chicago. When comparing the sizes of Moscow 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 Moscow or Chicago?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Moscow or Chicago in the Summer?
Both Chicago and Moscow during the summer are popular places to visit. 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, Moscow is generally cooler than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 19°C (67°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Moscow usually gets less rain in July than Chicago. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 19°C (67°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Chicago. 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.
Moscow is much colder than Chicago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
In October, Moscow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chicago. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 6°C (43°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Chicago in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Chicago. 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. Moscow can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Moscow is much colder than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Moscow in January average around -8°C (17°F), and Chicago averages at about 25°F (-4°C).
Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chicago. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -8°C (17°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In April, Moscow is generally much colder than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 7°C (45°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Chicago. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 7°C (45°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Moscow
| Moscow | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (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.