Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
#51
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
31%
Weight: 150
Chicago is moderately expensive compared to many US cities, with higher costs than mid-sized cities but cheaper than NYC or San Francisco.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
27%
Weight: 80
Rental prices in Chicago are high, especially in popular neighborhoods, making accommodation a significant expense.
🍎 Food & Groceries
54%
Weight: 40
Food prices are moderate; groceries are reasonably priced but eating out can be costly in trendy areas.
🚌 Transportation Cost
62%
Weight: 20
Public transit is affordable with monthly passes; rideshares and taxis are moderately priced.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
43%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options vary; tickets and events can be pricey but there are free or low-cost alternatives.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
58%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships range from affordable chains to premium facilities, average cost is moderate.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
USD is one of the most stable currencies globally with low inflation and strong international trust.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
86%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet is widely available with average speeds around 150-300 Mbps.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
89%
Weight: 40
Numerous coworking spaces across the city catering to various budgets and industries.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
83%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer reliable WiFi and comfortable work environments.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
79%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes with power outlets and conducive atmospheres for remote work.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
51%
Weight: 100
Chicago is not a top digital nomad hotspot but has a growing remote worker community.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage and data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
64%
Weight: 30
Work culture is balanced with plenty of leisure activities and reasonable working hours.
🌳 Environmental Quality
52%
Weight: 15
Urban pollution and industrial activity impact air and water quality, but efforts are ongoing to improve.
🧼 Cleanliness
57%
Weight: 10
City cleanliness varies by neighborhood; downtown is well-maintained but some areas have litter issues.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language; minimal language barrier for most digital nomads.
💨 Air Quality
46%
Weight: 15
Air quality can be poor at times due to traffic and industrial pollution, especially in summer.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
67%
Weight: 25
Good schools and parks but urban environment and crime concerns affect family appeal.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
87%
Weight: 20
Chicago has world-class hospitals and healthcare facilities with advanced medical services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
23%
Weight: 25
Healthcare costs are very high without insurance, making affordability a major concern.
🏥 Healthcare
79%
Weight: 20
Excellent healthcare infrastructure but expensive for uninsured or underinsured individuals.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
21%
Weight: 80
Cold winters with snow and rain; summers are warm but short; overall weather is challenging for many.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
75%
Weight: 10
Low risk of major natural disasters; occasional severe storms but no frequent earthquakes or hurricanes.
🏞️ Green Spaces
78%
Weight: 10
Many parks and lakeside green areas, including Millennium Park and extensive lakefront trails.
❄️ Air Conditioning
84%
Weight: 15
Most buildings and public transport are well air-conditioned, especially for summer months.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
72%
Weight: 10
Four distinct seasons with snowy winters and warm summers, appealing to those who enjoy seasonal changes.
🔊 Noise Pollution
48%
Weight: 10
Downtown and busy areas experience significant noise from traffic and nightlife.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
91%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, music venues, and diverse communities.
🌃 Nightlife
83%
Weight: 15
Vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, live music, and late-night dining options.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
69%
Weight: 15
Access to Lake Michigan, parks, and nearby natural reserves, but urban environment limits wilderness.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
74%
Weight: 10
Many language schools and cultural centers offering classes and meetups.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
76%
Weight: 10
Wide variety of tours including architecture, food, history, and lake cruises.
🎳 Indoors Fun
80%
Weight: 10
Museums, theaters, shopping centers, and indoor sports facilities provide ample indoor activities.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
90%
Weight: 25
Diverse and vibrant food culture with international cuisines and iconic local dishes.
🧠 Yoga Studios
77%
Weight: 10
Numerous yoga studios offering a range of styles and price points.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
79%
Weight: 15
Wide availability of gyms, fitness centers, and specialized studios.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
82%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic markets, vegan/vegetarian restaurants, and health-focused eateries.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
73%
Weight: 20
Central Time Zone is convenient for working with both US coasts and parts of Europe.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
85%
Weight: 25
Strong professional networks, tech meetups, and industry events regularly held.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
78%
Weight: 20
Growing remote job market with many companies headquartered or operating in Chicago.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
76%
Weight: 20
Active freelance community supported by coworking spaces and networking events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
87%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities and professional environments.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
79%
Weight: 15
Vibrant startup ecosystem with access to investors, accelerators, and talent.
💳 Local Payment Services
84%
Weight: 10
Wide acceptance of digital payments, mobile wallets, and contactless options.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
61%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with some local crypto businesses and events but not a major hub.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
92%
Weight: 30
O'Hare is a major international hub with extensive domestic and global connections.
🚇 Public Transit
75%
Weight: 20
Comprehensive bus and train network (CTA) covering most of the city and suburbs.
🚶 Walkability
78%
Weight: 20
Downtown and many neighborhoods are very walkable with good pedestrian infrastructure.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
90%
Weight: 15
Uber, Lyft, and other ride-sharing services are widely available and reliable.
🚲 Cycling
67%
Weight: 10
Growing bike lane network and Divvy bike-share system, but winter limits cycling season.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
83%
Weight: 15
Good rail (Amtrak), bus, and highway connections to other major cities.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
71%
Weight: 10
Divvy bike-share is popular; electric scooters available seasonally but less widespread.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
89%
Weight: 20
Strong 4G/5G coverage throughout the city with major US carriers.
🔒 VPN Reliability
95%
Weight: 20
Reliable internet infrastructure supports stable VPN connections.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
83%
Weight: 15
Generally stable power supply with occasional outages during severe weather.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
64%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in many cafes and some public spaces but not ubiquitous.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
32%
Weight: 40
US visa processes are complex and costly, with limited options for digital nomads.
📊 Tax Friendliness
35%
Weight: 30
High federal and state taxes; complex tax system can be challenging for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
96%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for free speech under US law.
🏛️ Political Stability
78%
Weight: 20
Generally stable political environment, though occasional local unrest occurs.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
61%
Weight: 15
Requires US address and documentation; can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
74%
Weight: 10
Relatively straightforward process but involves paperwork and fees.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in the US.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
68%
Weight: 50
Good infrastructure and amenities but visa and cost issues limit friendliness.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
65%
Weight: 25
Some digital nomad and remote work meetups, but not as frequent as in major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
72%
Weight: 20
Active online groups and forums for Chicago-based remote workers and freelancers.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
53%
Weight: 100
Safety varies widely by neighborhood; some areas have higher crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
71%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive, with resources and communities supporting women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
64%
Weight: 50
Diverse city with ongoing challenges and efforts towards racial equity.