Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Hot Springs?
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 Hot Springs or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hot Springs 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.
Where Should I go: Hot Springs or Chicago?
Hot Springs
Hot Springs is a popular resort city in central Arkansas. It's location in the Ouachita Mountains make it a convenient base for exploring the area's natural hot springs, from which the city gets its name. The city is also home to Hot Springs National Park, which have long been believed to have healing properties. Today many spas have popped up around the hot springs.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Hot Springs Prices
USA PricesChicago Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHot Springs $220Chicago $323
The average daily cost (per person) in Hot Springs is $220, 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 Hot Springs and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHot Springs $100Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHot Springs $200Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Hot Springs and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Hot Springs 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: Hot Springs Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hot Springs $47Chicago $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hot Springs
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hot Springs:
- Hot Springs to Little Rock Airport LIT Departure Private Transfer: $126
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
- Private Airport Transfer to/from ORD Airport: $43
- Private Transfer ORD Airport to Chicago / Milwaukee / Oak Brook: $46
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Chicago City to Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $78
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport private transfer, pick up: $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Chicago Airports (ORD)(MDW): $90
- Round Trip Private Transfer ORD Airport to Chicago City Oak Brook: $92
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer from O'Hare Airport to Chicago: $94
- Private One-Way Airport Transfer From Chicago To O'Hare Airport: $94
- Chicago Private Transfer from City To Airport (ORD): $99
Is it cheaper to fly into Hot Springs or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Hot Springs 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 dayHot Springs $90Chicago $85
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
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $73
- 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
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery in Chicago: $75
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Chicago Food Tour & Solve a Murder: Interactive True Crime Tour: $82
- Taste of Chicago's Chinatown Food Tours: $85
- Vito's Vault Chicago finest dinner theatre speakeasy: $85
- Downtown Classics Food Tour: Deep Dish, Beef Sandwich & More: $89
- City Cruises Lake Michigan Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hot Springs $30Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Hot Springs
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hot Springs are as follows:
- Hot Springs NP Self Guided Driving and Walking Audio Tour: $17
- Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs: $67
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:
- Eastside Chicago The Heist Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
- Dragon Kings Quest Experience in Chinatown Chicago: $7.13
- Haunted Chicago Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
- Chicago Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.82
- Chicago Chocolate Tour: $8.00
- Lincoln Park Zoo Adventure: $8.00
- Chicago Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Chicago’s Millennium Park Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.75
- Chicago Haunted Ghost Tour GPS Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Illinois Holocaust Museum presents Experience360 Ticket: $12
- Chicago Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $13
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 dayHot Springs $22Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Chicago Bar Crawl: Chi-Town Showdown: $15
- Chicago Local Brewery Expedition with Homemade Guacamole: $63
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
- Chicago:Milwaukee City Highlights Day Trip with Brewery Tour: $106
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hot Springs and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Hot Springs much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hot Springs would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hot Springs Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hot Springs or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Hot Springs. When comparing the sizes of Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs or Chicago?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hot Springs and Chicago. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Hot Springs is generally a little warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 83°F (28°C), and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Hot Springs, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during summer. Hot Springs gets 364 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, Hot Springs usually receives less rain than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHot Springs 83°F (28°C)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hot Springs as well as Chicago. 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.
Hot Springs is a little warmer than Chicago in the autumn. The daily temperature in Hot Springs averages around 64°F (18°C) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hot Springs this time of the year. In the autumn, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun.
Hot Springs usually gets more rain in October than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHot Springs 64°F (18°C)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Hot Springs are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. 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. Hot Springs can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Hot Springs is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the winter temperatures in Hot Springs in January average around 40°F (4°C), and Chicago averages at about 25°F (-4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during winter. Hot Springs gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Hot Springs usually receives more rain than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHot Springs 40°F (4°C)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Hot Springs or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Hot Springs during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Chicago because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Hot Springs is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Hot Springs average around 65°F (18°C), and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
In Chicago, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Hot Springs. In the spring, Hot Springs often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 304 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hot Springs. Hot Springs usually gets more rain in April than Chicago. Hot Springs gets 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHot Springs 65°F (18°C)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Hot Springs
| Hot Springs | Chicago | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 83°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 5.1 inches (130 mm) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (6°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 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.