When you are looking for a new city to settle in, there are certain factors to consider before making the decision. Do you prefer living amidst nature? Or do you love infrastructure that gives you endless possibilities for your future? This post compares two popular cities: Vancouver vs Chicago.
That way, you can find out which city should be the best place for you to live in. When it comes to Vancouver vs Chicago, both of them are great. This post reviews and compares these two cities on several parameters so that you find the one right for you.
Weather Vancouver vs Chicago
To begin with, Chicago has a hot summer, which is typically called a continental climate, and it has no dry season. On the other hand, Vancouver has a warm Mediterranean climate.
- The most favorable months in Vancouver are September, August, and July. January and December are the least comfortable months. September,
- August and June are the best months for you to spend in Chicago. In contrast, the least comfortable months are January and December.
- The hottest month for Vancouver is August when the temperature can rise to an average of 80.3 degrees Fahrenheit (or 26.8 degrees Celsius).
- In Chicago, the hottest month is July, when you can experience a average temperature of 83.9 degrees Fahrenheit (or 28.8 degrees Celsius).
Snowfall is less in Vancouver than in Chicago. Both these cities have almost similar weather conditions. But if you prefer a less cold temperature, Vancouver is right for you. Chicago had more sunny days but has harsher winters.
Cost of living Vancouver vs Chicago
Vancouver is 9.9% more expensive compared to Chicago. So, when you see this percentage, it can be concluded that Vancouver is a more expensive city than Chicago.
Additionally, some neighborhoods in Vancouver have a higher cost of living. So, if you are looking to save as much as you can, Chicago should be the right choice for you.
However, the average salaries of both these cities vary as well. For Vancouver, the average salary per year is $70,212 (about $5853 per month), and for Chicago, it is $86,370 (about $7198 per month).
The cost of one liter of milk and fuel in Vancouver is more expensive than in Chicago. Here is a list that compares important statistics.
| Cost of living indexes | Vancouver | Chicago | Difference |
| Groceries and food | 101.2 | 97.2 | 4.1% more |
| Median home cost | $429,900 | $291,200 | 47.6% more |
| Housing | 137.2 | 99.1 | 38.4% more |
| Health | 91 | 88 | 3.4% more |
| Transportation | 124.9 | 138.5 | 9.8% less |
| Utilities | 74.5 | 92.8 | 19.7% less |
| Miscellaneous | 105.9 | 107.3 | 1.3% less |
| Overall index | 118 | 107.4 | 9.9% more |
Therefore, the above information shows that Chicago has a low cost of living compared to Vancouver. This is an important aspect that you have to consider before deciding on where to live.
Lifestyle and cuisines
No wonder, whenever two people from different cities meet, they tend to quarrel about the lifestyle they are experiencing in their places. It appears that no one would accept defeat over another. And, when it is about Vancouver vs Chicago, the scene is no different.
It’s no surprise that both Vancouver and Chicago have some of the best cafes and restaurants. As such, you can expect several cuisines in both cities. Still, both these places have something unique about a few recipes that are native to that place.
Otherwise, both cities have popular delicacies that are readily available. But the Chicago-style pies that come with several toppings are one of the many recipes that you can’t have in Vancouver. Speaking about lifestyle, there is not much difference between these cities.
Both of them offer picturesque buildings, trails, public parks, and many more. With a variety of lifestyle choices in these cities, it will appeal to you. Both of these cities don’t include a fast-paced lifestyle. Rather, they give you the calm charm that you are looking for.
Job opportunities
When it comes to having enough job opportunities with average salaries, Chicago is better than Vancouver. Most importantly, both cities offer a variety of choices to people in terms of employment.
Although both of these cities don’t have many large companies, there are plenty of business communities alongside start-ups. The difference isn’t much in terms of job availability, but Chicago could be a better option.
Especially if you are planning to launch your own business or you are more interested in a diverse job that gives you the right work-life balance. In these cases, you can consider living in Chicago.
Quality of living Vancouver vs Chicago
If the quality of living in cities is an important aspect for you, something is interesting between these two cities. According to annual survey reports, Vancouver is nowhere near Chicago in terms of quality of living.
The annual survey includes 221 cities and 39 different criteria to create the list. Chicago falls at number 49 whereas Vancouver falls at number 3. Higher the number, the better quality of living the city has.
The criteria include important parameters such as public transport, political-economic stability, recreation, environment, culture, healthcare, hygiene, education, and safety. Even the GDP of Chicago is way better than Vancouver. The GDP of Vancouver is $95 billion and the GDP of Chicago is $532 billion.
Transportation
In terms of transportation, there isn’t much difference between Chicago and Vancouver. The price of a single ticket for transportation in Chicago is $2.50 while the same ticket costs $2.40 in Vancouver. A cheap single ticket allows you to move throughout the city with ease. So, whether you are a resident or a visitor, it helps the economy.
The average commuting time in Chicago is 33.2 minutes whereas, in Vancouver, it is 27 minutes. Besides, the cost of a public transport monthly ticket in Chicago is about $105. For Vancouver, the cost of a monthly public transport ticket is about $94.54.
Both Chicago and Vancouver have a bike-sharing system. Chicago has two airports while Vancouver has one airport. So, you can see that the results are almost similar between these two cities.
City culture
With friendly people, a mild climate, and breathtaking views, Vancouver is popular in the world for many reasons. Apart from being famous in the world for attracting tourists, Vancouver is one of the best places to live as well.
Because of its proximity to many Asian countries, Vancouver is Canada’s main hub for trade. Also, it has excellent transportation infrastructure and a deep-water harbor. However, Chicago has more population than Vancouver.
As such, more people are on less space and it makes their life fast-paced. Still, the best thing is that life in Chicago is more spread out in suburbs and neighborhoods. Both these cities allow you to enjoy walking throughout the cities.
That way, you can explore many neighborhoods, especially on a sunny day to make up the cities. Both cities welcome people from all walks of life. Because Chicago is the biggest city, it provides a richer experience of cultural heritage than Vancouver.
Crime rates
To start with, the crime index for Chicago is 65.97 and for Vancouver, it is 39.48. As a result, the safety scale for Chicago is 34.03 and 60.52 for Vancouver. Therefore, Vancouver is the clear winner when it comes to crime rates.
Car thefts, assaults, and even murder are common in Chicago. While the reports are terrible, some areas in Chicago are safe to live in. Although the statistics for Vancouver isn’t great either, crime has been on the rise in the city as well.
| Vancouver | Chicago | United States | |
| Property Crime | 46.6 | 46.3 | 35.4 |
| Violent Crime | 21.6 | 49.9 | 22.7 |
The indices range from 1 to 100 and they are based on data from the FBI. Property crime includes vehicle theft, arson, larceny-theft, and burglary. Violent crime includes aggravated assault, robbery, forcible rape, manslaughter, and murder.
Pros And Cons Of Vancouver vs Chicago
Pros of living in Vancouver
- The quality of life is high
- Quite easy to get a job
- Public transport is amazing
- Low crime rate
- Lots of mountains and beaches
- Nice and friendly people all around
- Living a simple life is easy
Cons of living in Vancouver
- The food is expensive
- A lot of immigrants (in case you are a racist)
- Very few train or subway lines
- High cost of living
Pros of living in Chicago
- Highly diverse city
- Full of ethnic restaurants
- Cool summers
- Low cost of living
- Great cultural and food options
- Excellent schools
- Affordable housing
- An abundance of retail options and grocery stores
- Easy access to natural attractions such as forests and beaches
Cons of living in Chicago
- Winters are harsh
- Declining population
- The public transit system is quite slow
- Job opportunities are limited
- The quality of houses is mediocre in some areas
Conclusion
Now that you know the most important aspects of Vancouver vs Chicago, consider each of them to decide on which city to live in. This is the only way to find out which city has everything that you need to live the life you want.
If you prefer the perfect combination of natural landscapes along with the infrastructure of a big city, Vancouver is the right place for you. However, if you are looking for a slow-paced life yet a charming environment, Chicago could be the perfect place for you.
Whatever city you decide to live in, ensure that you carefully evaluate every aspect according to your needs. Besides, each city offers you a lot in terms of providing an unmatched experience. So, make your choice after thorough research based on certain aspects that are important to you.
