Is Chicago expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Chicago is expensive by world standards but cheaper than New York, Boston or San Francisco. A budget day is about US$155 per person, mid-range about US$310, and the money goes on hotels (with some of the highest hotel taxes in the US, around 17%), tipped restaurant meals and paid attractions.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$80 | US$140 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$40 | US$85 | US$200 |
| Sights & tickets | US$30 | US$75 | US$150 |
| Local transport | US$6 | US$12 | US$50 |
| Per person, per day | US$156 | US$312 | US$750 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Chicago day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| L train or bus ride | about US$2.25–2.50 |
| Blue Line from O'Hare to the Loop | about US$5 |
| Chicago-style hot dog | about US$4–8 |
| Italian beef sandwich | about US$10–15 |
| Deep-dish pizza for two or three | about US$25–40 |
| Architecture river cruise | about US$55–65 |
| Willis Tower Skydeck | about US$35–40 |
| Mid-range double in the Loop or River North | about US$200–350 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the main cost, and the quoted rate grows by about 17% with taxes. Restaurants add sales tax and an expected 18–20% tip, so a US$25 meal easily becomes US$32. Paid attractions like the river cruise, Skydeck and Art Institute (about US$32–35) are each significant. Transport is cheap: the L and buses reach almost everything, including both airports. Big conventions and summer weekends push hotel prices up.
When it is cheaper
January to March are the cheapest months for hotels, often much lower than summer, though very cold; summer and convention weeks are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Use the L from O'Hare (Blue Line) or Midway (Orange Line) instead of a taxi.
- Visit free attractions such as Millennium Park, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakefront.
- Check for free resident or community days at museums; some are limited to Illinois residents.
- Eat Chicago dogs, Italian beef and tavern-style pizza rather than sit-down steakhouses.
- Stay in the South Loop for cheaper rooms near the Museum Campus.
- Compare a CityPASS only if you plan several paid attractions.
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Common questions
How much does a day in Chicago cost?
About US$155 per person on a budget, US$310 mid-range and US$750 in comfort, sharing a double.
Why are Chicago hotels so expensive after tax?
Hotel taxes are around 17%, among the highest in the US, added on top of the quoted rate.
Is Chicago cheaper than New York?
Yes, generally, especially for hotels and food.