Which city is cheaper, Chicago or Tampa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Tampa or Chicago? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include beaches.
Chicago is a cosmopolitan, diverse, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Chicago and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For a nice culinary experience, head to Chicago, which is well known for it's local dishes and restaurants.
For foodies, Chicago is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.
Tampa offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.
Most visitors prefer the nightlife in Chicago.
Chicago has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.
Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.
For a relaxing beach holiday, both Tampa and Chicago are good choices.
Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.
Many people head to Chicago to enjoy the beach. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake.
Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Chicago.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.
Chicago is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.
With fun activities for couples, both Tampa and Chicago make for a good place to visit.
Tampa is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore.
Chicago is a nice destination for couples. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods.
Chicago generally offers a better public transit system than Tampa.
Public transit in Chicago is top-notch. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.
Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.
Chicago is more walkable than Tampa.
Chicago is a very walkable destination. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.
Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.
In either Tampa or Chicago, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Chicago than Tampa because of the overall number of sights and activities.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Tampa is 2-3 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Chicago is 3-5 days.
In Tampa, you'll find . You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Each neighborhood in Chicago has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
In Tampa, you'll find . The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tampa has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chicago. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. 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 is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Chicago has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Many people enjoy the when visiting Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
You'll find shopping and museums around the multicultural big city of Chicago. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $136, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $221. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tampa and Chicago in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Tampa 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.
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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 Tampa 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.
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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 Tampa:
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 Tampa and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 Tampa.
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.
Both Chicago and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Tampa is a little warmer than Chicago in the summer. The temperature in Tampa is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Chicago stays around 77°F (25°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Chicago. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Chicago. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Tampa is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October are around 75°F (24°C), and Chicago is about 56°F (14°C).
In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tampa usually receives more rain than Chicago. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Chicago. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can be very cold during winter. In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Chicago. Temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Chicago stays around 25°F (-4°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.
Tampa usually gets more rain in January than Chicago. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both Chicago and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Tampa is much warmer than Chicago in the spring. The temperature in Tampa is usually 71°F (22°C) in April, and Chicago stays around 52°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Chicago. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Chicago. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
Tampa | Chicago | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
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